TREES AND SHRUBS 155 



two species stand in a class by themselves obvi- 

 ously allied to other conifers in the form of leaf 

 and cone and manner of growth, yet so far out- 

 ranking all others as to be properly thought 

 of as representatives of a unique order of 

 vegetation. 



Whether further modifications in the giant 

 trees could be wrought by hybridizing the two 

 forms or by selection among variant seedlings 

 is a question of interest. 



Presumably, such modifications could be 

 brought about were there time for it. But in 

 dealing with a tree that is a mere child when it 

 has outlived half a dozen generations of men, 

 the plant developer feels himself in the presence 

 of forces that lie almost beyond his ken. 



Moreover the attempt to deal experimentally 

 with the redwood is made difficult by the fact 

 that the tree seldom bears seed. Some of the 

 woodmen claim that it bears once in seven years, 

 but this is doubtless a mere guess, instigated 

 by the popular superstition connected with the 

 number seven. On one occasion, some thirty- 

 five years ago, I was informed that the red- 

 woods were loaded with seed, and went out with 

 some helpers and gathered a dozen grain sacks 

 or more of the cones, which could be obtained in 

 any desired quantity. On drying the cones I 



