4 LUTHER BURBANK 



away with his old maltese cat, whose sympathy he sought 

 in all his troubles. 



The work of caring for the bantam chickens, guinea- 

 pigs, white rabbits, and other pets of the household was 

 early assigned to him; for each member of the family was 

 given some task suited to his age and strength. He was 

 fond of these animals, but even then the stronger love for 

 growing plants was noticeable. No flower was common- 

 place to him. The lupine, the goldenrod, and the butter- 

 cup growing by the wayside charmed him. 



Near the home was a bank of clean white sand, where 

 the boy Luther spent many happy hours, playing with the 

 other children. He laid out villages with streets, houses, 

 mills, and stores; but always with orchards and gardens, 

 for even his play was constructive, tending to increased 

 beauty by means of plants. 



CHAPTER II 

 THE FLOWER GARDEN 



One of the first joys that came into Luther Burbank's 

 life was his mother's flower garden. Here the bright 

 butterfly wing and the flashing rose petal caught his 

 childish eye, and he was quickly drawn into sympathy 

 with the flower world. The mother used to tell this story 

 of his babyhood: 



