bud may be cut around at about the middle with a thin- 

 bladed kiiife^ the anthers being thus excised at a single 

 stroke. 



So-called composite flowers^ however^ require special 

 treatment. The daisy and the sunflower are familiar ex- 

 amples. Here the true flowers are very small and grouped 

 in masses. Individual treatment is usually out of the ques- 

 tion. The best method is to wash away the pollen with a 

 carefully directed stream of water from a garden hose, or 

 by spurting water from the mouth; after which the head 

 of the pollenizing flower is rubbed against the one selected^ 

 thus effecting fertilization en masse. 



In exce^Dtional cases it may be desirable also to cover the 

 fertilized flower with a paper bag to prevent the visit of 

 insects; but in practicing pollination on a large scale this 

 may usually be omitted by those who have experience 

 enough to recognize the hybrids from the others. If the 

 stigma has been satisfactorily covered with pollen, it will 

 present no exposed surface for the reception of other pollen 

 grains. 



The rule is simply this : Seek nature's plan and follow it. 

 In other words^ take a lesson from the bees^ and poUenize 

 the flowers somewhat as they do. Bear in mind the essen- 

 tials of the process^ which are the same for every flower. 

 Study the mechanism of each new flower and adapt your 

 precise method to the needs of the individual case. It does 

 not matter just how the pollen reaches the stigma^ provided 

 it does reach it. 



Any amateur who wishes to test the matter may do so to 

 his complete satisfaction by making the simplest experiment 

 in cross-pollenizing and watching the growth of the hybrid 

 his work brings forth. A very short course of practice will 

 give you the knack, and will lead to surprising, fascinating^ 

 and perhaps far-reaching results. 



— Luther Burbank. 

 (Vol. II, p. 261-266) 



For an initial experiment try hybridizing your 

 geraniums, after reading Burbank's instructions 

 in the following article. 



6 



