80 LUTHER BURBANK 



My experimental work with the broom corn 

 has been directed toward the development of a 

 long, and in particular a straight, panicle stem. 

 Most of the broom corns have long but crooked 

 stems that is, stems with crooks or crinkles 

 near the base. Moreover, most of the broom 

 corns under cultivation vary as to the quality of 

 the brush, some of them being long, some short, 

 and there being a corresponding diversity as 

 to color. 



I have succeeded, in a few generations of 

 selective breeding, in greatly increasing the 

 number of straight stems of the brush, and giv- 

 ing them a more shapely form. Broom corn 

 responds readily to selection and care. 



These experiments were made by selecting 

 seed from the plant or plants in a lot that showed 

 the best individual characteristics. 



Attention was paid not merely to the brush 

 itself, but also to the stalks of the plant. There 

 is obvious advantage in growing a large, long 

 brush on a dwarfed stalk, that as little plant 

 energy as possible may be used for the produc- 

 tion of the stalk, the chief supply being reserved 

 for the more important brush. It was found 

 very difficult, but not impossible, to improve the 

 plant along both lines simultaneously, as it 

 seemed to be working in opposite directions. 



