LUTHER BURBANK 



the process is seldom complicated. It calls for 

 common sense rather than for great ingenuity. 



So-called composite flowers, however, require 

 special treatment. The daisy and the sunflower 

 are familiar examples. Here the true flowers are 

 very small and grouped in masses. Individual 

 treatment is usually out of the question. The 

 best method is to wash away the pollen with a 

 carefully directed stream of water from a garden 

 hose, or by spurting water from the mouth; after 

 which the head of the poUenizing flower is rubbed 

 rather vigorously against the one just de-poUen- 

 ated, thus effecting fertilization en masse. 



In exceptional cases it may be desirable also 

 to cover the fertilized flower with a paper bag 

 to prevent the visits of insects; but in practicing 

 poUenation on a large scale this may usually be 

 omitted. 



If the stigma has been satisfactorily covered 

 with pollen, it will present no exposed surface for 

 the reception of other pollen grains. 



Pending the more detailed discussion of the 

 specific methods of poUenizing adapted to par- 

 ticular flowers, I would give an all-compassing 

 rule which, in itself, will serve as a sufficient 

 guide to the experimenter who has clearly in 

 mind the principles involved in the process of 

 cross-pollenation. 



[96] 



