188 LUTHER BURBANK 



widely differing varieties were developed in the 

 second generation from seed of a single plant. 



Some similar results with Bermuda grass 

 (Cynodon dactylon) were obtained. With this 

 I have experimented from time to time during 

 the past twenty years, more particularly in the 

 effort to produce a lawn grass which would fulfill 

 the function in arid regions that the blue grass 

 fulfills in moist climates. 



I have found that this grass varies even more 

 than most others do from seed, and by selection 

 was able to produce dwarf varieties, or, on the 

 other hand, the tallest and largest-growing ones ; 

 also varieties with broad leaves and others with 

 narrow leaves. 



There were plants that came up thickly and 

 made a compact sod, not having the wild running 

 habit of the original variety. And others that 

 sent out runners and spread so rapidly that in a 

 single season one plant would cover the ground 

 for ten feet in all directions. 



These extraordinary diversities were shown 

 among plants selected from the same lot of seeds. 

 In all there were at least twenty quite distinct 

 varieties developed, each marked by one or more 

 obvious and striking peculiarity. 



But as Bermuda grass is commonly regarded 

 as a weed, none of these were introduced. 



