AND HIS PLANT SCHOOL 81 



Another unhappy feature of the gladiolus was its awk- 

 ward stooping habit, as if it were about to fall over, or did 

 not care whether it stood straight or not. Often it might 

 be seen with a soft cord passed around it and on around a 

 stake, but in spite of every suggestion gladiolus would not 

 stand erect. 



When the plant school was established, Burbank chose, 

 among the many other flower friends of his childhood, the 

 gladiolus as a pupil. He loved his old friend, and wished 

 to teach it to overcome its imperfections. He admitted 

 many cultivated varieties from Europe, but these, like their 

 American cousins, had weak stems and petals too delicate 

 to withstand exposure to wind and bright sunshine. Large 

 classes of European and American gladioli were formed, 

 and at the close of the term the assistants put white ties 

 on those the master wished promoted. 



In southern Africa other kinds of gladioli grew; although 

 these were wildings their brilliant colorings and markings 

 were needed to blend with their American relatives. These 

 African plants were brought into the school. Many were 

 grown that the most beautiful and most perfect might lend 

 their assistance to the master in training the stooping gladi- 

 olus to become more graceful and to produce larger and 

 more lasting flowers of brilliant colors. 



Season after season selections of the best were made, 

 until at last the long slender stalk disappeared, and in its 

 place was a short stem, so closely set with large beautiful 



