96 LUTHER BURBANK 



its deposit of starch and sugar, is designed to 

 live through the winter and next season to supply 

 such nourishment for the plant as will enable it 

 to take on rapid growth and to develop a large 

 quantity of seeds. These plants are biennials 

 and do not fruit in their first season. It is this 

 fact that has been taken advantage of by man 

 in developing their roots and diverting them to 

 his own uses. 



PRINCIPLES VERSUS METHODS 



In all this, it will appear, we have said nothing 

 as to practical methods of gardening. But I have 

 thought that a clear outline of the principles in- 

 volved in the all-important matter of the nutri- 

 tion of the plant, and in particular a full presen- 

 tation of the reason why the leaf structure of the 

 plant is of paramount importance, might serve 

 better to prepare the would-be gardener for his 

 task than a mere categorical citation of methods, 

 unexplained as to their final purpose. 



Whoever has carefully followed the outline 

 just given will have a clear notion of the needs 

 of the plant and might depend, were it neces- 

 sary to do so, on his own ingenuity to devise 

 means for meeting these needs. 



But, as a matter of course, we shall have oc- 

 casion to deal more at length with specific meth- 



