LUTHER BURBANK 
Every farmer knows that corn must be planted 
in large quantities close together—that a single 
kernel of corn, planted in one corner of a lot, 
apart from other growing corn, would be non- 
productive. 
Yet how many of those who depend upon corn 
for their living fully realize the reason for this? 
The geranium, with its nectar, its scent, its 
color and its structural arrangement, has built 
up a partnership with the bee to perform its 
pollenation. 
While corn, with no advertisement, no honey, 
no brilliant reds, no scent, has developed an 
equally effective plan of making the breezes act 
as its messenger of reproduction. 
Here is a plant, tall and supple, that responds 
with graceful movements to the slightest breath of 
air. At its top it holds a bunch of pollen laden 
tassels—swaying tassels which, with each back- 
ward and forward movement, discharge their tiny 
pollen grains in clouds, which slowly settle to the 
ground. 
Below, on the stalk of the plant, are the ears of 
corn, containing row after row of the egg kernels, 
needing but combination with pollen from above 
to become, each, a seed capable of starting another 
corn plant on its life. 
[90] 
