400 Report oF THE HorRTICULTURAL DEPARTMENT. 
very small of such accidents vitiating the results. But all this 
adds to the work, whereas by the use of the microscope the 
sexual] status of a variety may be determined in a few minutes 
so far as that season is concerned. The older cultivated varieties 
in the east have nearly all been determined, but there are still 
some of these which are doubtful and the new varieties as they 
are originated can be determined the first season they blossom. 
Tt is not nnreasonable to expect that observations as to the 
quantity and condition of the various kinds of pollen will give 
us better rules for the selection of fertilizers than we have at 
present. It may at times be of use to determine a certain 
variety; to illustrate, Lucile and Wyoming closely resemble each 
other in fruit and in certain other characters, but they may be 
distinguished by the fact that one has self-fertile pollen and the 
other self-sterile. 
To the hybridist this work may be of some interest since it 
will indicate at once all possible male parents. 
It is intended to continue this work next season and it is 
hoped to have some further data to report. 
