46 



THE WHEAT CULTUEIST. 



ii^om the flower with, whose pollen we wish to imjDreg- 

 nate, and shake them gently so that the pollen dust may 

 fall upon and adhere to the stigma of the flower from 

 which the anthers had been removed in the morning. 

 The heat of the day produces a dilatation of the pollen, 

 and thus facilitates its dispersion. 



" In order, then, to hybridize, it is necessary to take 

 the heads of wheat which are intended to be the parents, 

 both male and female, when thej have arrived at that 

 state of maturity indicated by Fig. T, or hefore any of 

 the anthers have escaped from the glume. Suppose a 

 cross is intended to be consummated between the Gen- 

 esee Flint, as male, and White Blue Stem, as female. 

 Then, on a dry and warm day — this state of weather 

 seems to be necessary, as at such times impregnation not 

 only more readily takes place, but appears to be more 

 successful — between 10 and 12 o'clock, hold the head of 

 the Blue Stem downward, and carefully open the glume ; 

 then with a very sharp-pointed scissors, cut ofi" the 

 anthers (a, c?, Fig. 7), and let them fall to the ground. 

 Great care must be taken that no anther is permitted to 

 toucli the pistil of the same head, either before or after 

 separation of the filaments (J, J, Fig. 7). This is perhaps 

 the most delicate part of the operation. After the 

 anthers have been remov^ed, pollen grains from the 

 anthers of the Genesee Flint must be immediately ap- 

 plied to the pistil of the glumes from which the anthers 

 have been removed. 



" In order to preserve the heads thus impregnated 

 Irom injury by insects or birds, they may be enveloped 

 in a hood of gauze, or Swiss muslin ; but no caution 

 whatever is necessary to guard against accidental intro- 

 duction of pollen grains." 



