The Spirit of Creative Gardening 117 



improved varieties are introduced by seed houses and 

 nurserymen, while Science is carrying on its subtle work 

 of research and experimentation in a thousand ways. 

 The experimental and demonstration work of the United 

 States Department of Agriculture, already of vast 

 scope and immeasurable importance, is constantly in- 

 creasing and extending its practical value throughout 

 the country. Men and women of scientific taste and 

 aptitude, sometimes beginning with little technical 

 knowledge, but developing it as they go along, are do- 

 ing wonderful things in a quiet way. One such instance 

 came under my observation in the extreme southwestern 

 corner of the United States. 



Mr. and Mrs. George B. Frank established experi- 

 mental gardens near the famous artist colony of Gross- 

 mont, ten miles from San Diego, California. Among 

 other things they perfected a new string bean, unusually 

 large, crisp and meaty and without strings. It is a 

 handsome, green-mottled bean, which attracts buyers 

 by its appearance, and sells at a fancy price in the mar- 

 ket. It bears heavily, and shows a higher percentage 

 of butter fat and protein than any other variety. 



The orchid lettuce, which originated in France, where 

 it grew luxuriously but would not head, was perfected 

 in the Frank gardens. It has a large, loose head, with 

 purplish and reddish leaves, deliciously crisp and tender. 

 It makes an attractive salad leaf, and Mrs. Frank de- 

 veloped a purple potato to go with it, so she could 

 serve what she calls a "violet luncheon." To carry 

 this fancy still further Mr. Frank crossed a tomato 

 with an egg-plant. The result is a very mild-flavored 

 tomato, large and solid, of rich egg-plant purple. 



