280 LUTHER BURBANK 



I hare elsewhere called attention to the ex- 

 ceptional difficulty of keeping stoneless plums 

 and prune seeds in condition for growing. Not 

 having the natural protection of the shell, they 

 tend to germinate too early, and of course are 

 peculiarly subject to the attacks of insects and 

 of fungous diseases. Such seeds may best be 

 placed in cold storage as soon as collected and 

 cleaned, and kept at freezing temperature. 

 Seeds thus cared for will sometimes germinate 

 almost as quickly and readily as beans or corn. 

 They must not be planted too early in the spring, 

 lest their too prompt germination subject them 

 to injury from late frost. 



Incidentally, I may note that grafts sent to 

 me from cold climates have been observed to 

 start with greater promptness and grow bet- 

 ter than those from our own immediate vicinity 

 where the winters are mild. Cold seems to rest 

 the tissues and prepare them for rapid growth, 

 just as treatment with narcotic drugs has been 

 observed to do in certain interesting experiments 

 that will elsewhere be referred to more at length. 



OUT or DOOR PLANTING 



In California, plum seeds are usually planted 

 in January or February, in a little furrow about 

 an inch deep. A furrow may be made accurately 



