CHAPTER VIII 



Raising New Varieties 



Almost everyone who becomes thoroughly enthused 

 in the cultivation of a floral subject has a desire to raise a 

 new variety, and the Sweet Pea growers are no exception 

 to the rule. This flower, however, offers certain difficulties 

 that simple flowers like a Primrose or Poppy do not. For 

 instance, what are called the essential organs, which com- 

 prise the anthers and stigma, or male and female parts, 

 are encased in a fluted petal arrangement, which com- 

 prises the keel, on either side of which are the wings, and 

 above, the standard. The pollen of the anthers, which is 

 the male fertilizing element, is ripe some days prior to the 

 stigma being in a receptive condition, so in making a cross 

 the anthers must be removed early from the flower (or two 

 flowers, the others being taken away) that is to become the 

 seed bearer, so as to preclude all possibility of pollination 

 by its own pollen. This is simple enough, but at the same 

 time requires skillful and careful handling. At an early 

 stage in its development, while the flower is halfway in the 

 bud state, before the pollen can possibly have become fully 

 developed., slit the keel along the bottom with a needle, 

 and with the fingers, or with small scissors, remove the 

 anthers and let back the keel. When the pollen from the 

 other flower that has been chosen for the cross is seen to be 

 dry and powdery, and therefore ripe, take it off by means 

 of a very soft brush, such as a camel's hair brush, and 

 apply it to the viscid surface of the stigma, after which a 

 label recording the names of the varieties of the cross should 



