LUTHER BURBANK 
of the apricot with the plum offers at least a pos- 
sible solution of the vitally important problem of 
the development of a cosmopolitan apricot. 
Perhaps there is no single problem of orchard 
fruit development that offers possibilities of 
greater economic importance. 
MatinG WITH ORIENTAL COUSINS 
As to other hybridizations, we may add that 
there is a quite different species of apricot grow- 
ing in Japan, known as Prunus mume, which may 
possibly be of value in the development of new 
races of apricots, either with reference to the 
essential quality of hardiness or to the develop- 
ment of other qualities. 
This Japanese apricot bears a small fruit of 
very poor and acid quality, of use only for cook- 
ing. Moreover, it is not an abundant bearer, and 
it has few qualities that tend to commend it. It 
crosses readily with the cultivated apricot, how- 
ever, and although the fruit is very inferior, there 
is always a possibility that later generations of 
such a progeny may develop unexpected qualities. 
Even better results might possibly be attained 
by crossing our best apricots with the hardy Rus- 
sian apricots, which will bear fruit in much colder 
climates, but the fruit of which is but little superior 
to that of the Japanese apricot, Prunus mume, just 
described. 
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