132 Strawherry-Growing 



toward bisexuality." Undoubtedly this is due, in part 

 at least, to cultural preferences. Since it has been demon- 

 strated that staminate varieties can be secured that are 

 fully as productive as the best pistillate sorts, most 

 growers prefer them, because they are more dependable 

 in pollination and more convenient to use. Breeders 

 introduce varieties that growers will want to buy. If 

 the drift toward staminate varieties continues at the 

 present rate, in another century or less all North 

 American varieties will be bisexual; then one of the 

 most confusing phases of strawberry culture will have 

 been elimina,ted. 



SELECTING AND DISTEIBin'ING THE POLLINIZER 



Many pistillate varieties produce a little pollen and 

 are able to set fruit alone in favorable seasons. Occa- 

 sionally, some staminate varieties are not able to pollinate 

 themselves perfectly. Crescent is classed as pistillate, 

 yet the first blossoms that open may have well developed 

 stamens; it may become a true staminate on rich soils. 

 Glen Mary and Gandy are classed as staminate, yet 

 the early blossoms frequently are deficient in pollen, and 

 these varieties are benefited by being planted with a 

 poUinizer (Plate X). The number of these semi-perfect 

 varieties is larger than is commonly supposed. Unfa- 

 vorable weather greatly reduces pollen production. In 

 commercial operations it is well not to rely wholly on 

 the arbitrary classification of varieties as to sex, but 

 to use poUinizers, not only for known pistillate sorts, 

 but also for weak staminate varieties that are likely to 

 be deficient in pollen in unfavorable seasons. 



