A VISIT TO LUTHEU BUEBANK. 333 



much Burbank realized for this one seedling- he did not mention to us, 

 but it was certainly enough to compensate for his entire plum-culture 

 of many years. 



Such are Burbank's ideals. For himself it is sufficient to receive 

 the cost of producing his creations. He has no children, and does not 

 feel the necessity of accumulating money. The sole aim of all his 

 labors is to make plants that will add to the general welfare of his 

 fellow beings. Therefore he looks in his selecting for other qualities 

 than those upon which we, in Europe, generally lay stress. ' Ship- 

 ping qualities,' that is the ability to withstand handling in packing 

 and shipping by railroads or vessels, are most important to him. Next 

 comes the property that makes it possible to cultivate them in regions 

 which previously have been unsuitable for this purpose. To produce 

 varieties which combine with great productivity a sufficient degree of 

 frost resistance is one of the chief aims of Burbank. 



As an example of this, he spoke of his crossings with the Beach 

 plum (Primus maritima). Here and there along the coast, especially 

 in the eastern states of North America, this shrub grows wild. It is 

 satisfied with almost any conditions. The most infertile sandy soil is 

 just as good as the richest loam; the driest place as agreeable as the 

 temporarily inundated ground. On the eastern coast it thrives equally 

 well in the north and in the south, being nowhere affected by the cli- 

 mate. It never suffers from frost, and always forms a dense shrub, 

 often to the exclusion of all other tree-growth. In addition to all these 

 qualities it is immensely prolific. It does not, of course, produce any 

 edible plums ; the fruit is of the size of a small cherry, with a large seed 

 and a very thin layer of fruit-flesh. Late in the season the branches are 

 bent down under the weight of the fruits, which cover the branches in 

 great profusion. This plum has, further, a great number of varieties, 

 with all kinds of forms and colors, some ripening in July and August, 

 others as late as September or October. Even in taste there are dif- 

 ferences. Although the fruit is uneatable, it is possible to judge 

 about its flavor. 



In many parts of California water is very scarce, but still the soil 

 is fertile. In such regions the population is scanty and remains so, 

 limited by the available water supply, in spite of the perfect climate 

 and the fertility of the soil. Some kind of fruit tree that by means of 

 long roots is able to get water from the deeper strata would be a bless- 

 ing to such regions. Wealth and prosperity would increase and a 

 large population could exist where lack of water now prevents cultiva- 

 tion. Burbank thinks he will be able to produce such a fruit tree by 

 combining the deep-rooting tendency of the beach plum with the deli- 

 cious flavor and richness of our common plums. He brought to his 

 place all kinds of beach plum in order to cross them with other species. 



