FRUIT BLOSSOMS 
399 
fertility of a cluster was tested by enclos¬ 
ing it in a Manilla paper bag before any 
of the flowers had opened, thus excluding 
pollen from all outside sources. (Beach, 
S. A., “Self-fertility of the Grape,” Bull. 
No. 157; “Fertilizing Self-sterile Grapes,” 
Bull. 169, et cetera, N. Y. Agr. Exp. Sta.) 
Nearly all the self-sterile varieties are 
hybrids; when pollinated by other self-ster- 
usually regularly self-pollinated, and are, 
therefore, largely independent of insects. 
While occasional pollination by the wind 
may occur, the flowers are adapted to in¬ 
sect pollination. The strong fragrance 
compensates for their inconspicuousness. 
In central Europe the five fleshy nectaries 
secrete no nectar, but in warmer climates 
it is said to be abundant. The quantity of 
A ,7W . 
1. Brighton grape self-fertilized; 2. Brighton grape cross-fertilized.— (After Beach.) 
ile varieties they yield no fruit, but when 
pollinated by self-fertile varieties they pro¬ 
duce marketable clusters. In a vineyard of 
self-sterile varieties, therefore, there must 
be a sufficient number of strongly self-fer- 
tile vines to pollinate them properly. Care 
must be taken to select varieties which 
bloom simultaneously. Self-sterility is due 
to lack of potency of the pollen, the self- 
sterile varieties aways having shorter sta¬ 
mens than the self-sterile forms. 
The grape remains in bloom from six to 
ten days according to the temperature of 
the air. Both anthers and stigmas mature 
at the same time, and the pollen retains its 
vitality for at least two weeks. Species 
with the §taraens longer than the pistils are 
pollen is small, but it is gathered by hon¬ 
eybees, bumblebees, and wild bees. Beetles 
are sometimes very destructive to the in¬ 
florescence. But where the varieties are 
self-sterile, as is the case with the musca- 
tine grapes (varieties of Vitis rotundi- 
folia) which have been extensively planted 
in the southern States, bees do not visit the 
flowers as frequently as would seem to be 
desirable. Efforts should be made to ob¬ 
tain vines which secrete nectar freely, and 
also a bee-yard should be located in or near 
the vineyard. 
Strawberry. —-A strawberry-grower of 
great experience says that more trouble, 
failures, and dissatisfaction arise among 
fruit-growers—particularly among small 
