Breeding 69 



sometimes tell" even to the twentieth genera- 

 tion. Albeit, 'tis a short cut to our destination. 



A little study and practice is necessary. Look 

 at the blossom carefully — ^it is called, botanically, 

 compositae. The yellow disk, if examined under 

 a magnifying glass, is composed of dozens of 

 little florets, each containing its pistil, or mother, 

 and its surrounding five stamens, whose anthers 

 bear the precious pollen destined to fertilize 

 another flower. On the pistil sits the stigma, 

 ready to receive and make use of the pollen which 

 will create the fertile seeds. As each floret 

 opens, the pistil pushes its way up through the 

 case, forcing the anthers apart, carrying the 

 pollen on its back which soon scatters or is 

 carried elsewhere by the wind or on the backs 

 of insects. Gradually the stigma on the pistil 

 opens wide like a mouth, disclosing a hairy in- 

 terior which will catch and hold the pollen re- 

 ceived. The outer ring, or ray -florets, are usually 

 only pistillate, and for that reason make the 

 best seeds. They are the first to open and to 

 become fertilized, and draw more strength from 

 the plant in the process of ripening. This is 

 especially so in the case of double flowers. 



Just before the mother flower, or seed bearer, 

 breaks open, it should be covered with a large, 

 light paper bag. Each day a row or ring of 



