336 LUTHER BURBANK 



We have found occasion to believe that pre- 

 potency or dominance is conditioned on newness 

 of development 5 the case of the peach-almond 

 hybrid gives a measure of support to this 

 theory. 



But while the specific qualities of peach and 

 almond, representing their specialized develop- 

 ment in comparatively recent times, thus tend to 

 be segregated along Mendelian lines, yet the 

 traits in each case are of such long standing that 

 they do not Mendelize in the clear and satisfac- 

 tory way that we have seen manifested in some 

 other cases for example, the color of the black- 

 berry, and its thorns. 



There is, to be sure, a very marked segregation 

 in the second generation, illustrated by the most 

 astonishing variation among different second- 

 generation hybrids in the matter of size, rapidity 

 of growth, and almost every quality of flower and 

 fruit. 



This variation was so marked, indeed, as to 

 rob the seedlings of the value they might other- 

 wise have had as stock for grafting. The large- 

 growing specimens have value for this purpose, 

 but the diversity among the seedlings is so great 

 that they cannot at present advantageously be 

 grown with any hope of producing dependable 

 stocks. 



