

Bee Meseih i. Ue 
peas of the two types were in no case mixed in the pods. The pods 
were always of the type of the common pea, though on certain plants 
all of the peas that they inclosed were of the sugar type. 
For the benefit of those who may desire to make experiments in 
cross-fertilization, we remark that the pistil of the pea is fertilized by © 
its pollen before the flower expands. It is necessary, therefore, to re- 
move the stamens before this time, to prevent self-fer tilization. “In 
our experiments we have noted that the fertilization takes place about 
_ the time that the pure white color appears in the petals. So long as 
the petals remain greenish, the flower is in condition for castration, 
but after the color has changed to white, it is useless to attempt cross- 
fertilization. We remove one or more of the petals with a pair of 
tweezers, which exposes to view the pistil, surrounded by the stamens. 
The anthers, which look like small yellow balls at the outer end of the 
stamens, are then picked off with the tweezers, taking care not to 
break or injure the pistil. After about twenty-four hours, a fully 
opened flower from the variety that is desired to cross with it is taken, 
and enough of the petals removed to expose the anthers. The pollen 
is now visible as a yellow dust, looking much like flowers of sulphur, 
A portion of this dust is placed upon the stigma (outer end of the 
pistil) of the castrated flower, either by the use of a small camel’s 
hair brush or by touching the anthers themselves to the pistil.. If this 
is well done, the pollen will be easily visible upon the stigma. We 
have found that when the foliage of the plants is wet, so that a smail 
drop of water can be easily placed upon the stigma with the tweezers, 
before applying the pollen, the latter adheres better, and is less likely 
‘to be blown off by the wind before it is assimilated by the flower. 
As the pollen of the pea is confined for a long time within the petals, 
is not much blown about by wind, and is very rarely carried by in- 
sects, it is hardly necessary to protect the castrated flowers by inclosing 
them in paper bags, as we are compelled to do in many other plants. 
It is very important, however, to tie a bit of some bright colored cord 
about the stem of the flower, so that it can be readily found again. 
We cannot be certain that the fertilization has taken place until the 
pod is formed and shows evidence that it contains peas. Pods will 
frequently form from cross-fertilized flowers that develop no peas. 
, SPINACH. 
We planted one hundred seeds each from eight named packages in 
the garden, April 30, in rows ten feet long and twenty-one inches 
apart. We have, noted ithe following data: 
