MENDEL'S LAW OF FIXATION OF TYPE 



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The process of pollinating the pistil of one plant with pollen 

 from another is quite simple. A soft, camel's hair brush is rubbed 

 on the stamens to secure the pollen. This may be dusted into a 

 small vial and properly labeled. When it is carried to the plant 

 bearing the pistils the flowers must be emasculated; that is, the 

 stamens should be clipped out with a pair of fine pointed scissors 

 before the pollen is shed on the pistil. The new pollen from the 

 vial is then dusted on the pistil with the soft brush. Paper bags 



Fig. 14. — Relative sizes of radishes grown from small and large seed. 



tied over the flowers will keep away the foreign pollen which might 

 otherwise be brought by bees and wind. 



Home gardeners will find much interest in studying the methods 

 here described and they may be tried with such instruments as may 

 be found in any home. 



Mendel's Law of Fixation of Type. — When plants of different 

 type have been used in plant breeding to form new types or varie- 

 ties, the offspring will continue to vary in their characteristics and 

 several generations will be required to reasonably fix the new type. 



