192 LUTHER BURBANK 



ing too critical observation. Even before he 

 could count, if he saw more places set at the 

 dinner table than he could ascribe to the mem- 

 bers of the family, he would quietly say to 

 mother: "I don't want any dinner to-day." 



Habits of observation and classification re- 

 sulting in the power to individualize were early 

 developed. Luther knew more than anyone 

 else about the apples in the orchard, the nuts in 

 the woods, and the wild berries on the hillside and 

 in the meadow grasses. He made friends of 

 birds, insects, and animals, and rocks, trees, and 

 clouds did not escape his notice. An artist and 

 poet in heart, no doubt even at an early age 

 dreams were cherished of a great life work, 

 dreams which a natural timidity caused him to 

 hide within his own consciousness. 



Each winter brought many noted lecturers to 

 the forum in Lancaster. An especially deep 

 and lasting impression was made upon Luther's 

 life by a series of lectures delivered there by 

 Professor Gunning, on astronomy, physical 

 geography, geology, mineralogy, palaeontology, 

 and other kindred subjects, not supposed to be 

 especially interesting to a child. 



Luther's first experience in school life was in 

 a little red schoolhouse, located about one-half 

 mile from our home. On his first day the super- 



