RAISING NEW VARIETIES OF CHRYSANTHEMUMS. 



138 



presenting pollen the stigmas in the outer section are in a con- 

 dition to be fertilised. 



Assume these conditions to have arrived. Then, at mid-day, 

 on a sunny day for choice, if such present itself, take on the tip 

 of a small dry camel' s-hair brush the pollen from the bloom 

 which we intend as the male parent, and convey it to the bloom 

 which we desire to fertilise. But first we must, in a measure, 

 prepare this bloom. Disregarding the ray florets, with a small 

 and sharp pair of scissors carefully shorten the petals of the outer 

 florets of the disc, so that the stigmas may be conveniently 

 reached by the brush. Then carefully convey the pollen to 

 the stigma surfaces. Do this, again and again, daily for several 

 days. Make sure of the fertilisation. 



Our next, and the most difficult part of our task, is to ripen 

 the seed now fertilised. A measure of ripeness is essential, and 

 to ensure it several precautions have to be adopted. Keep down 

 injurious insects — aphis, thrips, &c. — by fumigation and tobacco- 

 powder. Let the bloom heads be bent directly over the hot- 

 water pipes, the house being maintained at a temperature of from 

 50° to 60°, with a bright and moving atmosphere. 



Do not shorten the ray petals according to the American 

 plan, but leave them on, as they appear to assist in maintaining 

 a healthy condition of the capitulum, and also in a measure to 

 afford a safety-valve for the carrying off of any excess of sap 

 which may rise to the capitulum. 



The plants will now require but very little water, and care- 

 fully wipe up any surplus moisture finding its way through the 

 pots. Presently the seeds will be seen to swell and stand well 

 away from each other. Now half-break the stem a little below 

 the head, and bend it down towards the pipes. Say three weeks 

 have elapsed, or perhaps a month, and no signs of a damping 

 bloom head have appeared. Now remove the head, and cut out 

 the centre of the disc to avoid single varieties. Place the head 

 in a metal pan on bricks placed directly on the hot-water pipes. 

 Sooner or later, according to the character of the variety, a gentle 

 touch with the finger will suffice to release the seed from the 

 capitulum, and we now know that success has attended our toil, 

 and that after another week of gentle drying we may sow our seed, 

 with a very definite prospect of witnessing in six months' time 

 the unfolding of the florets of our new variety. 



