154 



LUTHER BURBANK 



From a few belated blooms of the Japanese plums some 

 pollen had been dried, and great care had been taken to 

 preserve it. He now placed this pollen upon the stigma 



of the choicest of Little 

 Beach's blossoms, and 

 tagged them until fruit 

 should ripen. 



The next season the 

 plant pupils from these 

 seeds made fine prog- 

 ress, and when large 

 enough were placed 

 upon the arms of a full- 

 grown plum tree, along 

 with the pupils of more 

 distinguished ancestors, 

 in the Gold Ridge 

 grounds. 



Two years from that 

 time the first genera- 

 tion bore fruit, which 

 showed such great im- 

 provement that Bur- 

 bank knew there was a great future for Little Beach; but 

 further crossing, or pollination, must be done, and he must 

 continue to cultivate patience, which this restless little 

 fellow needed. 



One of the "Little Beaches" that 

 bears some. 



