IMPROVING SEED POTATOES 



31 



1 * BtH!BB ^^ 



Fig. 17. — Tools used in removing stamens before they shed pollen. The operation is called 



emasculation. 



4. Artificial Pollination. — With fine pointed scissors (Fig. 17) and fine 

 soft brush practice artificial pollination of any flowers that may be available. 

 Begin with large flowers first if possible. Also pollinate monoecious and dioe- 

 cious blossoms that do not need emasculating. Tie paper bags over the cross- 

 pollinated flowers (Fig. 18) and note results to see if pollinating was successful. 



5. Hybridizing. — A good home project may be conducted in hybridizing 

 of plants. For example, collect pollen from five varieties of tomatoes, using 

 a soft brush and small glass vial for 

 each variety. Then pollinate twenty- 

 five emasculated blossoms with each 

 of these five kinds of pollen, making 

 125 blossoms in all. Bag and label each 

 of these. The label should show the 

 name or number of each parent. Study 

 the results when the fruits ripen. Save 

 the seeds of each specimen, and num- 

 ber them to agree with records kept of 

 the crosses. Compare the specimens in 

 all characteristics, such as earliness, 

 smoothness, firmness of flesh, size, pro- 

 portion of flesh to pulp. Plant the seeds 

 of each and continue the project for 

 one or more seasons, selecting the most 

 promising strains developed. 



6. Improving Seed Potatoes. — 

 Grow potatoes by the hill-row system. 

 Stake and label each row or section. er / I °; e 1 *'.^ Aft e e J.! la ^^ on a n e* i0 t I o the ^ent 



Compare the yields of potatoes planted ottOTpollen^om entering^Numberso'n' the 

 from each hill. Again select the best label indicate the parentage. 



