Maybe it has something to do with heredity, I dunno, but after reading all that stuff, my head hurts. Are weak intellectual constitutions and eye strain dominant, I guess? Whew! Anyway, High Plains Drifter, here are some addresses to cut and paste into your search engine window (since I haven't evolved sufficiently to provide automatic electronic hyperlinks ... gosh, with my diminished capacities, it was a real task to even spell that): http://cuke.hort.ncsu.edu/cucurbit/wehner/vegcult/tomatoai.html http://cuke.hort.ncsu.edu/cucurbit/wehner/vegcult/tomatojr.html http://cuke.hort.ncsu.edu/cucurbit/wehner/vegcult/tomatosz.html What you will find are lists of hundreds of tomato cultivars with descriptions of their applications (whether they are applicable to heat tolerance, for instance ... like Gulf State Market, Creole, Bradley, etc.), and even some parentage info. I hope the lists will be helpful in your search for genetic material to develop your super race of t'maytur. As far as your original question, this is the first year I've attempted to cross pollinate myself; but I can tell you this: 1) I was told (by a knowledgeable member who shall remain unidentified) to only emasculate flowers that were in the early stages of showing color and had not opened or revealed their stigma. However, I emasculated 3 Cherokee Purple flowers that were clearly showing stigma and pollinated them with 3 separate contributing pollens (one "male" varietal contribution source per flower), and 2 of the 3 flowers set fruit while not one of the flowers that were on the same plant set fruit during the same high temperature period of time. It remains to be seen if those two fruits produce hybrid seed. 2) In another case, during the same very hot period of time, I emasculated two Green Zebra flowers whose pedals had spread but whose stigma were still tightly encapsulated by the whatchamacallit pods. I let the exposed stamen sit for about 30 hours, and then pollinated by smearing the stigma with broken open male parts from a yellow cherry tomato (I'm after clusters of small, tart, crunchy, striped, ping pongs with more yellow at ripe stage). One of the two flowers set fruit while not a single other flower on the GZ set fruit during the same period of time. My assumptions thus far (based upon very limited experience and training in this whole thing): A. Either I pollinated the blossoms that I emasculated with their own pollen as I tore off the male parts; or B. I succeeded in pollinating the blossoms with the intended pollen from the male contributors; or C. The blossoms were already pollinated, and I just got lucky enough not to destroy them; or D. The stigma were pollinated by some other means after I emasculated them. My assumption that I succeeded with my intent is only bolstered by the fact that not one single other blossom existing at the time of my activity set fruit on the two plants I was working with. It was during the hottest part of July with daytime temps running 94 to 102 here in S.W. Indiana. As to your question about "how many flowers" to gather contributing pollen from ... it's just too damned tedious to go through tapping, capturing, drying, blah, blah, blah, as described in the scientific literature I read ... so, I just tore off 5 or 6 blossoms (from each intended contributor) that looked ripe or overripe, tore them open, and gently brushed the receiving stigma with the torn parts. I washed my hands with hot, soapy water inbetween each procedure. I ended up having lots of yellow dust on my fingers when I did this, so I assume I got the job done. We shall see next year, right? Regards, Bill (a flatland hybridizing neophyte)

It's a contest based on fan vote. She did not get enough votes. She may have been the better dancer but she didn't get the votes. I think people have taken to Katherine because she's so genuine and honest. She's a great dancer and deserves her place in the finals. What happened in her dance can happen to a pro and I'm glad she wasn't seriously hurt. It was her left leg and her back. Mark didn't knock her down. I think Donald is doing a fine job but he's not as good as William and Katherine. The finals will be a show to watch!!!

Jackie has really 'grown up' since she was first on AGT, she was such a cute little girl. And she's beautiful now! Unlike many child entertainers, she just keeps getting better, IMHO, anyway. As for Sal, I didn't think his performance last night was his best, by any means, but I really do like him. He has a wonderful voice, he's good looking, (okay, so I'm a sucker for blue eyes) and has a very likeable stage presence. What's not to like? Although I guess his music genre probably appeals more to us "old folks", than the younger generations. I grew up with his kind of music. Rusty

I didn't like Tyra at all the first season she hosted, but thought she did much better last season. Terry Crews is doing okay, he seems a little better each show. Nick Cannon really had a way with performers when they 'froze up', or any uncomfortable situations occurred. Tyra couldn't compete in that department, at all. Remains to be seen whether Terry will be able to. I like Heidi a lot, and will miss her. She is definitely laid back next to Mel B. But I am glad to see Mel B go, never did like her. I read somewhere on the 'net that Mel B is about to check herself into a center for treatment for alcohol and sex abuse. I don't remember where I read it, but at the time it seemed like a fairly reliable source. It implied that the sex abuse had to do with her ex husband, and the alcohol abuse stemmed from that, a way of dealing with it, maybe? If this is true, I feel sorry for her, but I still don't care for her as a judge. I have no idea who the two women named to replace Heidi and Mel B are, but I hope they will work out well! I do like Simon a lot, and agree with Lindsey, he is honest and fair. Howie is okay, I like him most of the time, anyway. Rusty