190 LUTHER BUKBANK 



But man has, at first unconsciously and later 

 consciously, produced all these marvelous im- 

 provements and ten thousand others and is now 

 making and will make improvements in every- 

 thing, plant and animal, which is useful to him; 

 not by nature's method of selective breeding for 

 the continuance of life at any cost, but for 

 definite purpose to supply the world with food, 

 clothing, shelter, and luxuries. 



"In what percentage of cases have you 

 achieved the ideal at which you aimed in the 

 production of new varieties of flowers or fruits?" 

 is asked. 



The question is almost impossible of definite 

 answer. When I first commenced, doubtless a 

 very small proportion of these experiments came 

 out as expected. But now, with years of experi- 

 ence to guide me, it may be said that I practically 

 always get something not far different from what 

 is desired. In most cases the result comes just 

 about as expected. But this is because I am 

 working with plants that I have previously 

 tested. 



With a new plant there is sometimes doubt. 

 But if it is a case of poppies or walnuts, plums, 

 corn, peaches, wheat, carnations, potatoes, and a 

 thousand or more others that have been fully 

 tested, I know just about what to expect. 



