Breeding 71 



The best instrument for depollinating is a 

 rubber bulb, such as is used for atomizers, into 

 which has been inserted a tube of glass, metal, 

 or hard rubber, and which when filled and 

 pressed will throw a threadlike jet of water. 

 One can purchase such an instrument all ready- 

 made at a supply shop for dentists. We all 

 know them — they need not be described! 



Two such bulbs and a small pail of clean water 

 is ideal. One bulb, pressed and placed in the 

 water, may be filling while the other is being 

 used. 



The day before pollinating is to be done, the 

 male parent (i. e., the flower from which the 

 pollen is to be taken to fertilize the mother 

 flower or seed bearer) should be cut from the 

 plant, brought into the house, and placed in a 

 vase of fresh water. Bees are early risers and 

 their breakfast often consists of pollen from the 

 finest blooms. Unless we get up before dawn, 

 we must resort to this wiser method. 



Next morning the anthers will be full and 

 fluflfy with the golden powder which we need, 

 and it is an easy matter to gather it upon some 

 small receptacle — a watch glass seems to be the 

 most convenient — ^with a soft camel's hair brush. 



Take it to the garden along with the rubber 

 bulbs and the pail of water, and as soon as the 



