Artificial Fecundation of Cereal and other Crops. 263 
ground, when it is about 3 inches high ; the second and third 
severally at a week's interval. 
They should be performed at a slow pace, and on a day which, 
according to the usage of the district, would be considered 
favourable for the purpose. The same track should be followed 
each time and in the same direction, that the stems may be bent 
to the same side. 
Autumn corn which has been rolled before winter should have 
one or two more rollings in spring, when vegetation revives. 
The roller should be grooved ; it should be weighted according 
to the nature of the soil and the custom of the neighbourhood. 
(Experimenters will have a pattern roller delivered to them.) 
If the autumn corn is "thrown out" by winter frost, the 
common roll of the countrv should be used to set it firm again. 
Rape and maize are not to be rolled. 
Artificial fecundation is put in operation when the plant begins 
to flower. 
It is effected by a rope 25 to 30 yards long ; to this rope are 
attached pieces of woollen twist (torsades de laine) 2 feet long, 
so as to touch each other and form a continuous fringe. A little 
piece of lead, the weight of a swan-shot, is fastened to one of the 
threads at intervals of 4 inches. The wool employed should be 
long and coarse.* 
The threads are smeared with a small quantity of honey by 
drawing the fringe through the moistened fingers. 
To effect artificial fecundation the apparatus is drawn over the 
corn. The fringe ought to trail over the whole length of the ear, 
so that each spikelet, from the highest to the lowest, be brought 
into contact with its threads. The workmen should also, as they 
Avalk, make the rope shake the ears slightly. Three men are 
required for the work : two, placed at either extremity of the 
rope, draw it along ; the third supports it in the middle, and 
gives it a slight lateral to-and-fro movement. This operation is 
repeated three times, at an interval of one or two days, and in 
calm weather. The first time it ought, as far as possible, to be 
performed from east to west, the second time from west to east, 
and for the last time the farmer may follow his discretion. 
If there is dew or frost, the work should not begin before 
10 A.M. ; it should not be done in the rain. 
The crop should, in all other respects, be treated according to 
the general practice of the neighbourhood in respect of tillage 
and manuring. 
For rapeseed, buckwheat, and maize, the same rope and the 
* The rope complete may be bought of M. Boucley, Eue Montholon, No. 34, 
Paris. 
