PLUM AND PRUNE PROFITS 171 



my work with this fruit cannot be struck for 

 many years to come. 



My plum orchard might be compared, in this 

 regard, to a large number of modern industries, 

 manufacturing establishments, for example, 

 which have a high first cost and which cannot be 

 expected to pay more than the interest on the 

 investment for many years, yet which may ulti- 

 mately show a profit that will pay back the orig- 

 inal expenditure and even give a balance on the 

 credit side of the ledger. 



PLANT IMPROVEMENTS CANNOT BE PATENTED 



There is, however, one feature of plant devel- 

 opment that puts it on a different plane, as re- 

 gards probable financial returns, from that 

 occupied by other fields of inventive or creative 

 industry. 



This is the fact that nothing comparable to a 

 patent can be obtained on new varieties of fruit 

 trees or flowers, such as the developer of new 

 mechanical inventions or chemical combinations, 

 or artistic productions can depend upon to guard 

 his invention and make it at least probable that 

 he will share in the profits that accrue from its 

 introduction. The plant developer must either 

 introduce his new varieties through direct sales to 

 nurserymen and planters, or else sell them out- 



