"P. H.," Peterborough, Ontario, Can., asks : •* Is there a work from which I could learn the art of hand-fertilizing the blossoms of fruits and melons, etc.; the fertilizing the female blossoms with the pollen of the male blossom, or, perhaps ' hybridizing ' might express it?" [Crossing, or hybridizing, is very simple. We take the pollen dust from one flower and place it on the apex of the pistil of another. To make it sure that the flower you wish to raise the seed from does not get its own pollen, it is best to open the flower before it naturally expands, and cut off its anthers before they have had a chance to burst and throw out their own pollen. At the same time it is best to put the pollen of the male parent at once on the stigma. The stigma is usually not receptive - that is, has not the liquid exudation necessary for the effective reception of the pollen at this early stage, - but it remains on the stigma ready for use when the stigma is ready to receive it. These precautions are necessary in order that we may be sure the flower receives only the pollen we desire it to receive.

Some cover the flower, after the anthers have been removed, until the time for the use of pollen has arrived, with gauze, to keep off insects that might bring other pollen, - but this is scarcely necessary when done in the way suggested. If any further information be desired we shall be glad to respond. - Ed. G. M].