PROPAGATION, BREEDING I2I 
Small paper bags are put over both par- 
ents, so that no possible outside pollen 
can come in. The flower which is to 
be the female is emasculated — that is, 
the stamens which bear the pollen are 
removed just at the time when the bud is 
about to blossom forth as an open flower. 
A small sharp implement is used, cutting 
through the petals and removing all the 
stamens. The blossom is then rebagged. 
When the pollen is ripe on the other bagged 
blossom, the bag is removed and the pollen 
knocked onto a watch glass or other re- 
ceptacle and this powder is immediately 
applied, by the aid of a camel’s-hair brush, 
to the emasculated flower so that the pistils 
have sufficient pollen for pollination and 
fecundation, which results in clean, well- 
shaped fruit. It may be necessary to 
pollinate the flower twice to be sure of 
supplying enough pollen. 
The flowers are bagged at once and remain 
so until the fruit has attained some size; 
then the paper bag is exchanged for a mesh 
bag either of very coarse cheesecloth or 
mosquito netting. This latter bag remains 
on until the fruit is fully matured. 
