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NEW CREATIONS IN PLANT LIFE 



different in form from the parent nuts and far 

 more abundant, while possessing a unique and 

 delightful flavor. The leaves upon the trees, as 

 is noted in another chapter, are of many inter- 

 esting varieties, and when rubbed in the fingers 

 or crushed, or even when merely handled, give 

 out a delightful fragrance somewhat like that 

 of the apple, but as powerful and lasting as 

 that of a rose or a lily. 



But to come to the main life-plan of the 

 new trees, it appears that they are in some 

 ways the most important contribution Mr. 

 Burbank has made to the specifically commer- 

 cial life of the world. A simple computation 

 will illustrate this, the results are so remark- 

 able as to challenge one's credulity, but they 

 are results based solely upon facts, unadorned 

 by any speculation. 



Mr. Burbank says that for the best commer- 

 cial purposes the trees of either variety should 

 be set out not less than forty feet apart, in 

 order to allow ample space for each. The 

 root system is very extensive, and there must 

 be plenty of room for each tree below ground, 

 as well as large allowance for the spread of the 

 branches. About thirty-six trees to the acre is 



50 



