50 LUTHER BURBANK 



As to the latter point, I may mention a sport 

 that appeared among my white callas, in the 

 form of a plant that grew to gigantic size. The 

 sport appeared among the seedlings of the com- 

 mon calla (R. africana), but doubtless represents 

 a natural cross between different strains of this 

 species. 



The plant bore its flowers on stems sometimes 

 six feet or even more in height. The foliage was 

 of corresponding size, and the flowers almost pro- 

 portionately immense. 



The new sport was called the Giant Calla. 



In contrast with this giant is a dwarf of the 

 same species, retaining the characteristics of the 

 calla, and having the peculiar interest that 

 attaches to a miniature flower reproducing the 

 qualities of a familiar flower which we ordinarily 

 think of as being of large size. Some of my 

 dwarf varieties, produced by selection, have 

 flowers only two inches in diameter. 



Among the offspring of the Giant Calla, one 

 has appeared that has a shade of purplish crim- 

 son on the stalk and blossom. This color I have 

 never known to appear in the common calla 

 before, and its appearance suggests reversion to 

 a very remote ancestor. It is possible that the 

 giant bears blood of one of the other species, two 

 or three of which, as before mentioned, have 



