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superior to anything in existence of that particular 
color or type. It is this one that we are seeking. 
With a little practice, hand pollenation is a very 
simple process. The real skill consists in the selection 
of the two varieties to be crossed. It will also take 
some experience to ascertain which are the good seed 
producers. 
Each gladiolus floret has in it three stamens. At 
the summit of each stamen is an anther containing the 
pollen or fertilizing dust. Each floret also contains 
one pistil, divided at its apex into three fuzzy prongs. 
When in proper condition to receive the pollen these 
prongs are sticky. Pollenation consists in the taking 
of the pollen from the anther of one variety and plac¬ 
ing it on the pistil of another variety. This may be 
done with the point of the small blade of a pocket knife, 
or with a small brush, or by taking the anther and 
rubbing it against the pistil. 
In order to be sure to get just the desired cross, and 
that it may not be mixed with anything else, it is well 
to slip paper bags over the spikes just before the 
florets open. As the florets open on the spike selected 
as the seed-bearer, the anthers should be removed be¬ 
fore they liberate any pollen. This will prevent self- 
fertilization. The pollen is the male element. The paper 
bags should be retained on the seed-bearing spike for a 
few days after pollenizing. 
In the selection of varieties for crossing it is well 
to have a definite object in view. For example, let us 
consider Prince of Wales and Richard Diener. Prince 
of Wales is probably the best early salmon pink to date 
but the spikes often kink. Richard Diener is probably 
the finest color scheme in pink yet produced. Its 
