152 LUTHER BURBANK 



bank had gone out into the open in the mountain, valley, 

 and forest and sought out the little wildings that longed 

 for a more favorable place for growth and development, 

 and brought them in for training. His sympathetic heart 

 went out to them, and he knew which would respond 

 readily to cultivation. Indeed, when only a boy, he sym- 

 pathized with weeds, and wondered if he might not be 

 able to improve them. He said: " Weeds are weeds be- 

 cause they are jostled, crowded, cropped, and tramped 

 upon, scorched by fierce heat, starved, or perhaps suffer- 

 ing from cold, wet feet, tormented by insect pests, or lack 

 of nourishing food and sunshine. Weeds are plants out of 

 place." 



He seemed always to know which would prove grateful 

 and be willing to help the other pupils in the school. He 

 saw in this hardy little savage an unselfish nature, and 

 immediately set about preparing for its improvement and 

 usefulness. 



When Little Beach arrived at the plant school he was 

 greatly surprised at the cordial welcome he received. The 

 plum pupils and the prune pupils were especially glad to 

 see him. Even the most aristocratic ones offered their 

 hands and smiled upon him. He admired their upright 

 carriage, their fine glossy leaves, and later on their lovely 

 white blossoms. He hoped that some time he would look 

 as grand as they, but he could not quite understand why 

 his blooms were not out. 



