INFLUJENCJS OF POLLEN UPON THE FRUIT 



313 



complete impregnation often results in the produc- 

 tion of extra large fruits. It is now believed, in 

 other words, that pollen often 

 exerts a secondary influence 

 in stimulating the develop- 

 ment of the pericarp. 



379a. There is much discussion as 

 to the "immediate influence of pollen," 

 by which is meant the influence of 

 the pollen in impressing the character- 

 istics of its parent upon the identical 

 fruit to which it is applied. In gen- 

 eral, there seems to be no such in- 

 fluence, but there are well -determined 

 exceptions. 



Fig. 326. 

 Non-pollinated apple. 



380. If one were to examine the fruits which 

 are dropped by any plant shortly after flowering- 

 time, he would likely flnd many of them to be 

 hollow or devoid of good seeds. This is readily 

 observed in cultivated fruits, as apples and plums. 

 Fig. 326 is a cross -section of such an apple, one- 

 fourth larger than life. It turned yellow and fell. 

 The aborted seeds indicate that it was not fer- 

 tilized; and experiments give similar results. In 

 other words, many ovaries will grow to consider- 

 able size without pollination, and then perish. 



380a. Unfertilized plums sometimes reach a fourth their normal 

 size before falling, especially those of the Wild Goose type. Per- 

 sons who live in the extreme South should observe the eoeoanuts. 



