148 LUTHER BURBANK 



of value, but did not succeed, no doubt because 

 the attempt was not carried out with sufficient 

 pertinacity. The California species produces a 

 wax of much darker color than the eastern one, 

 but of about the same degree of hardness. I 

 still have several fine blocks of wax that were 

 produced from these shrubs and trees during the 

 time of the experiment. Although not success- 

 ful in combining the different candleberry 

 shrubs, the experiments were carried far enough 

 to show the possibility of great improvement by 

 mere selection. If there were a market for the 

 wax, the plant might be well worth improving. 

 These plants were finally destroyed to make 

 room for other shrubs. This is another case in 

 which a product of intrinsic value has failed to 

 find a market, largely, no doubt, because the 

 plant that produces it has hitherto not been 

 brought under cultivation, and hence has not 

 produced a sufficient crop to bring it to the atten- 

 tion of the public and to create a market. 



It would not be surprising, however, if the 

 candleberry should be thought valuable enough 

 in future for development and cultivation on an 

 extensive scale. For the wax that it produces 

 is of unique quality, and it is almost certain 

 to be found of value in connection with some 

 commercial industry. 



