AND HIS PLANT SCHOOL 99 



They were brave little fellows to come at the master's 

 request, for once before some members of their family 

 made the attempt and perished on the way. Although 

 the climate of Australia is not greatly different from that 

 of Santa Rosa, yet the travellers had to pass through the 

 tropical regions and to remain more than a month in close 

 confinement. 



The master, who was awaiting the coming of the new 

 pupils, eagerly broke the seal and opened their prison 

 house, then tenderly examining each, placed it in damp, 

 mellow earth. 



Soon these six little rhubarb plants began to expand. 

 By degrees they became very wide awake, and sent up 

 green leaves on beautiful crimson stalks. Once established 

 in the plant school, they proved to be very promising pupils. 

 Although the crimson stalks were scarcely larger than a 

 pencil, they were ready for use months before the larger 

 varieties with green stalks made their appearance. 



The master determined to combine this little crimson 

 rhubarb with the then commonly grown rhubarb, which is 

 larger and has a very sharp acid, hoping thus to obtain 

 something superior. So when blossoms appeared tiny, 

 greenish-crimson, feathery flowers on tall stems he made 

 the experiment, but none of these seedling plants were 

 up to the desired standard. 



Then selection alone was continued from year to year; 

 the one plant having the qualities he sought was chosen 



