Fig. 101. Bag.
In order to prevent the mixing of pollen, the flowers from which it is to be derived should be covered while in the bud, the same as the flowers designed as the pistillate parents. Otherwise foreign pollen may be deposited upon the anthers by insects or winds.
Fig. 102. Squash flower tied up.
As soon as the pollen is applied to the stigma, the flower should be tied up again the same as before. The bag should remain three or four days or a week, until the stigma has died and all danger of another pollination is removed. If the fruit is likely to be destroyed by birds or insects, it should be covered with netting bags as soon as the paper-bags are removed. These bags also serve to mark the crossed fruits, and to catch them if they should drop before the operator is aware. Of course all crosses should be labelled with the names of both parents and the date of the operation.
Fig. 103. Pin-scalpel.