iy 
\ 
APRIL, 1908 
of insects, even though the anthers or pistils 
are not mature, should be used, if accurate 
results are desired. 
When complete accuracy is not essential, 
and when working on blossoms that ncr- 
mally do not mature stamens and pistils 
simultaneously, so that self-pollination is 
improbable, the stamens need not be 
removed. Luther Burbank once wrote me 
that he removes the stamens from but a 
small proportion of the thousands of blos- 
soms that he uses every year. Professor 
S. B. Green says: “In the case of apples 
and plums, I do not think it pays to emas- 
culate at all.” Non-emasculation is prac- 
tised more commonly west of the Mississippi 
than in the East. The chief reason for this 
difference in practice seems to be that the 
pistils of fruit blossoms in many parts of 
the West are apparently more likely to 
mature before the stamens than they are 
in the East. At any rate much better success 
is obtained in the West from pollinating 
pistils a day or more before they become 
receptive than has been secured in the East. 
I have tried it in Michigan, with poor 
results; but Mr. M. B. Waite found this 
method satisfactory near Washington, D. C. 
This practice rests upon the probability 
that the pollen which reaches the stigma 
first effects fertilization in a majority of 
cases; if, therefore, fruit blossoms are cross- 
pollinated by hand before they have shed 
their own pollen, emasculation should not 
be necessary, provided the pollen sticks and 
grows. Crossing without emasculation is 
entirely feasible and fairly reliable, especially 
with blossoms in which the pistils mature 
exactly with or a little before the stamens. 
WHAT BLOSSOMS TO USE 
The pollinator soon learns that some trees 
or plants of the variety under experiment 
are more valuable for his purpose than 
others, and, furthermore, that some blossoms 
are better for crossing than others on the 
same tree. Some trees seem to have strong 
reproductive power and their crosses set 
fruit in gratifying numbers. Other trees 
that blossom just as full, and apparently 
have equal vigor, make a poor showing 
after the June drop, when the count of 
crosses is made. Very old, diseased or 
sickly trees should be avoided, no matter 
how full of blossoms they may be; also 
avoid very thrifty trees just coming 
into bearing. Mature trees of moderate 
growth, and perfectly sound, are the safest 
to use. 
It is rarely wise to work on the lower- 
most limbs, especially if the trees are tilled. 
Blossoms on inside branches are also unde- 
sirable. The best fruit is usually borne 
high up on the outside of the tree; crossed 
fruits should have at least as good a chance 
as any others and should be beyond moles- 
tation by teams and vandals. 
Select blossoms on the side of the tree 
opposite from the direction of severe pre- 
vailing winds, which may whip off the fruit. 
If nearly open buds have been subjected 
to a hard frost, just before emasculation, 
it may be wise to use only the blossoms 
THE GARDEN MAGAZINE 
143 
Rises ae ee Lie RS 4 
Bradshaw plums from cross-pollination. Crossed fruits are allowed to ripen on the trees, the seeds are 
stratified in sand and sown the following spring 
on the west and north sides; those on the 
east and south sides are more likely to have 
been injured by the frost. Select blossoms 
on well nourished branches and fruit spurs. 
Blossoms on terminal shoots are not apt to 
set as well as those on strong laterals. Weak 
buds are usually later in opening than 
strong buds, and it seldom pays to use 
these for crossing when the normal blossoms 
are too far gone. 
It is an advantage to include within one 
sack several blossoms of slightly different 
degrees of maturity, as is necessarily the 
ome 
F 
case with apples, pears, oranges and grapes. 
There is then a greater chance of pollinating 
at least one of them when it is in just the 
right stage. It is doubtful if it pays to 
work on more than three or four of the 
apple and pear blossoms in a cluster; the 
others should be pinched off. But nearly 
all the strong blossoms on a branch of plum 
or peach may be used. Much, however, 
depends upon the method of fruit bearing 
of the variety. 
Various tools are used, depending upon 
the kind of blossom and also upon the skill 
Crossing Gold Drop peaches. Select healthy trees and vigorous, outside shoots 
