IMPROVING SMALL FRUITS 61 



Elf A finds that his specifications call for a 

 thorny stem, but the factor that elf B represents 

 calls for a smooth stem. And at once there is a 

 discussion. 



"Whoever heard of a brier bush without pro- 

 tective briers?" demands elf A. 



"I have the honor to represent such a one/' 

 says the other. 



"But the thing is a departure from all the 

 traditions of good brier architecture," insists A. 

 "Moreover you cannot possibly fit the materials 

 together without getting some brier material." 

 And this argument prevails. 



When the factors are examined, it is obvious 

 that if they are put together the thorny fac- 

 tor will overlie the thornless one, somewhat 

 as a carved stone might overlie a smooth 

 stone in a human dwelling. So it is admitted 

 that the new organism must have a thorny 

 stem. 



Now all goes well again until the two archi- 

 tects come to the building of the future fruit. 

 Character of flowers, time of fruiting, and gen- 

 eral structure of the berry itself are all arranged. 

 But just as the last detail was almost completed 

 there is again a disagreement. It is discovered 

 that A's plan calls for a white fruit, B's plan for 

 a black fruit. 



