THE APPLE 217 



The tangible product of his investigations, the 

 one that will have commercial importance, must 

 find representation in germ cells that have in- 

 finitely multiplied until their descendants are 

 piled together in such unthinkable numbers that 

 they make up the structure of visible plants, and 

 to meet the exigencies of the case under con- 

 sideration of visible and tangible fruits of the 

 orchard. 



To be quite specific, and to bring us back di- 

 rectly to the practicalities of the subject in hand, 

 the development of the germ cell must have led 

 to the production of the particular fruit called 

 the apple. 



What, then, practically does there remain for 

 the plant investigator to do in the apple orchard ? 



With eight thousand varieties of apples at 

 hand, just how shall we come in competition and 

 produce a new variety that will commend itself 

 as having some points of superiority to any ex- 

 isting? Unless we can do that, it assuredly is not 

 worth while to cumber the market with a new 

 apple. There are enough inferior fruits already 

 in the field. Let us by all means refrain from 

 adding to their number. 



What has been said suggests that the task 

 ahead of us, in the perfectionment of the apple, 

 does not lack difficulties. As a tangible illustra- 



