118 City Homes on Country Lanes 



Among other Frank creations are a mottled squash; 

 unusually sweet corn; an improved cucumber, reaching 

 fifteen inches in length, and tipping the scales at three 

 and one-half pounds, while remaining crisp and tender. 

 He has also gone far in the quest of a seedless water- 

 melon. 



This is but one among a thousand examples of what 

 is being accomplished by plant-breeders whose work has 

 not yet attracted wide attention, but whose silent labors 

 are constantly swelling the tide of progressive horti- 

 culture. 



It is not to be expected, and perhaps not to be de- 

 sired, that all home gardeners shall attempt to become 

 scientific plant-breeders ; but the thing that is eminently 

 desirable is that they shall take on the spirit of creative 

 gardening, sharing Luther Burbank's faith in the po- 

 tentialities of the New Earth. When this spirit fills 

 the minds and hearts of our people we shall see a 

 marked advance in every department better food, bet- 

 ter homes, better people, better everything entering into 

 the common life. This is the ideal: We are not to be 

 satisfied with things as they are; even with the fruits 

 and vegetables that Nature gives us. We are to insist 

 upon the best that can be done in the light of scientific 

 knowledge, becoming partners in the work of creation 

 at least in an humble sense. 



The first step of this process is to adopt the new 

 methods and new products as they come from the 

 master minds, instead of being satisfied with the old. 

 It is amazing to know how interest in the garden the 

 interest of one's self and of one's neighbors is quick- 

 ened and freshened in this way. To grow a tomato that 



