Fertilisation of the Grape Vine

Abstract

THE season is favourable for an examination of the floral development of the vine, and I recommend an inspection of the flower of that plant to all who are curious. For my own part I shall be glad if any one who has remarked more than is obvious will tell us something about it, for the flower is certainly remarkable. On examination it is seen that each little knob, which at first sight seems to be the young grape, is, in fact, a little green cap, which, when lifted off, discloses a group of stamens closely surrounding the pistil. To all appearance this cap—which is all that represents the flower (in the common acceptation of the word)—must effectually prevent anything like cross-fertilisation. Apparently it becomes detached below and is thrown off as soon as the stamens, which continue to support it, lose their vitality, and not before. It is, indeed, not easy to conceive any other so simple an arrangement, by which, whatever of fertilisation is necessary, can be ensured being done at home. It seems as if by this arrangement every flower must fertilise, though there were not another within miles, and cannot be fertilised by any other but itself, though it be one among thousands.