Plant Breeding. 255 
opened with the forceps or needle. The removal of the 
anthers is termed emasculation (e-mas-cu-la’-tion). 
In the flowers of certain 
plants, as the pea, wheat and 
grape, pollination takes 
place before the blossom 
opens. In these plants, it is 
necessary to emasculate the 
flowers very early. 
Fru.171. Case of instruments and sacks 
442, To Prevent Un- for crossing plants. 
desired Pollination, the blossom should be inclosed by 
tying over it a sack of thin cloth or paper at the time of re- 
moving the anthers. The sack will of course have to be 
removed for pollination, after which it should be promptly 
replaced. 
Pollination should be 
performed twenty-four to 
forty-eight hours after 
emasculation (441), the 
period depending upon the 
plant, and the stage of 
development of the flow- 
ers at the time of the 
latter operation. Apply- 
ing the pollen on two con- 
secutive days tends to in- 
sure success, 
The pollen is applied by 
placing an anther (144) 
containing mature pollen in direct contact with the stigma 
(145), or by removing some of the pollen upon the back of 
the point of a penknife, or by means of a camel’s-hair 
Fig. 172. Emasculated flower inclosed in sack. 
