Hayes and Garber - Cucurbit Breeding

CONTROLLING POLLINATION 73
Hold the bud between the thumb and forefinger with the keeled side
uppermost (B) then run a needle
;
along the ridge where the two edges
of the standard unite. Bring down one side of the standard, securing
it in position with the thumb; then do the same with one of the wings,
which will leave the keel exposed. This must be slit on the exposed side
about % in. below the bend in the keel and continuing along until about
y\ m - from the stigma, which can be seen through the tissue of the keel.
Bring down the section of the keel and secure it under the end of the
thumb. This will expose the immature stamens, 10 in number. With a
fine-pointed pair of forceps seize the filaments of the stamens and pull
them out, counting them as they are removed to make certain that none
are left (C). Allow the disturbed parts of keel, wings, and standard to
assume their original positions as far as possible. Next detach a leaflet
from the plant, fold it once, place it over the emasculated flower bud,
and secure it in position with a pin or toothpick."
This prevents drying out.
Flowers so treated and pollinated
the next morning gave a large percentage of successful crosses.
FIG. 16. At right, A, scissors useful in removing small organs; J3, self-closing
forceps; C, forceps commonly used in emasculation with pin attached to the
handle; D, scissors for severing large organs. At left, devices used in depollination
of flowers; A and B, chip or water bulbs; C, water bulb with valve at bottom
provided with celluloid ejector; D, old rubber bulb with glass tube inserted;
E, "putty bulb" with attachment to give a small jet of water. (After Babcock
and Clausen, 1918. After Oliver, 1910.)
Depollination with Water. Oliver first used a garden hose in
depollinating Grand Rapids lettuce.
By cutting down the size
of the opening with a smaller piece of rubber tubing a small jet
of water was secured. After training this jet for a few seconds on