CHAPTER XXIII 



PLANT BREEDING 



Because seeds of plants are produced by the union of 

 two cells, one from the pollen grain and the other in the 

 ovary of the pistil, it is possible to produce new varieties 

 or strains of certain plants. Plants, like animals, inherit 

 characteristics of their parents. Now, if the pollen from 

 one plant germinates on the stigma of another, the result 

 of the fertilization which follows is a seed which will prob- 

 ably partake of the qualities of both parents. Florists 

 and horticulturists have taken advantage of this to produce 

 new varieties of flowers and vegetables. 



Of late years much has been done to improve the corn 

 crops by a process of breeding. 



It has been ascertained by careful experiment that corn 

 which is cross pollinated produces stronger, better plants 

 than that which is self pollinated. How could you in- 

 sure cross pollination of a number of ears of corn? The 

 hand-pollination method which was tried with the nas- 

 turtium may be employed. This, of course, would have 

 to be done just at the time that the corn is in flower, or just 

 as it is beginning to "shoot," as farmers say. Pollen is 

 collected from one plant in a sauce dish or other shallow 

 receptacle and the ends of the silks of another plant gently 

 dipped into this. Then a paper bag is tied over the ear so 

 that no other pollen can reach the stigma. In this way 



214 



