1892] A Unique Genius 



plant breeding, in connection with the course in 

 Bionomics. 



For several years the Carnegie Institution allowed 

 a generous grant for the continuation of his work. 

 That arrangement, however, carried so many neces- 

 sary limitations that it became irksome to the 

 recipient, who must proceed in his own way, making 

 thousands of experiments at once and therefore not 

 maintaining the minute records which would give 

 his results greater scientific authority but meanwhile 

 enormously restrict his output. 



Burbank is a modest, quiet worker, with a keen 

 eye, a deft hand, a quick intelligence, and a sensi- 

 tive soul. He has put into practical use the in- 

 ductions of Darwin, and has enriched the world 

 with fruits and flowers which, save for him, would 

 never have been more than conceivable possibilities. 

 Among our men of science he is assured a high and 

 honored place, not as "wizard" or "clever operator," 

 but as a man of generous views, exact knowledge, 

 and noble character. 



In an address in San Francisco in 1904, Professor Tribute by 

 Hugo De Vries of the University of Amsterdam De Vries 

 spoke of his American colleague with much en- 

 thusiasm: 



A unique, great genius! To see him is the prime reason for 

 my coming to America. He works to definite ends. He ought 

 to be not only cherished, but helped; unaided, he cannot do 

 his best. He should be as well known and as widely appre- 

 ciated in California as among scientific men in Europe. 



This tribute by the master of plant genetics was 

 virtually BurbamVs first introduction to the general 

 scientific world. 



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