240 LUTHER BURBANK 



the experiments were continued in selective 

 breeding as well as in hybridization. The new 

 rhubarb, as was stated in the earlier chapter, 

 proved variable when grown from seed. 



The tendency to winter bearing, however, was 

 pronounced, whatever variations the plant 

 might show as to other qualities. 



In more recent years I have continued the 

 development, and have produced new varieties 

 of the Winter Rhubarb that differ so very widely 

 from the original one as to merit introduction as 

 separate varieties. 



The new rhubarbs have been developed by 

 crossing the Winter Rhubarb with various 

 races of ordinary rhubarb, in particular with the 

 improved variety known as the Burbank Giant. 

 The crosses were made mostly with the use of 

 the Winter Rhubarb as the pistillate parent, 

 but reciprocal crosses were also made. The prog- 

 eny, as is often the case with hybrids, showed 

 unusual vigor and rapid growth. 



The individuals varied as to many of their 

 qualities, and I presently sorted out no fewer 

 than thirty-six different types, all of them of 

 gigantic size. 



The best of these has been introduced under 

 the name of the New Giant Crimson Winter 

 Rhubarb. 



