188 LUTHER BURBANK 



the seed parent. Where cross-fertilization could 

 be effected, it made no difference which way the 

 species were crossed. 



But the conflict of hereditary tendencies was 

 at once apparent. Hybrids appeared that de- 

 parted widely from the traditions of either 

 parent. Moreover, there was the tendency to 

 sterility that threatens the offspring of every 

 wide cross. One of the first plum-apricot hy- 

 brids produced did not have a stamen on the 

 whole tree. It was very evidently a cross of the 

 plum and apricot, but in the combination the 

 means for perfect reproduction was lacking. 

 Experiments were made by applying pollen to 

 the malformed blossoms. But few ripened the 

 majority remaining dormant. 



The cross brings out this striking malforma- 

 tion, but there are doubtless almost numberless 

 tendencies striving for mastery that remain sub- 

 merged, apparently neutralizing one another 

 perhaps destined ultimately to come to the 

 surface under the influence of a changed 

 environment. 



At every stage of the development and im- 

 provement of a plant short cuts must be intro- 

 duced, where time and expense can be saved. 



Instead of waiting years for a seedling to bear, 

 it is possible to save much of that time by the 



