254 GARDENING WITH BRAINS '^ 



already been vastly improved. Grapes, for 

 example. **The grapes of our childhood grew 

 sparsely on climbing vines which covered our 

 arbors; while the grapes grown for profit 

 to-day grow thickly, almost solidly, on stubby 

 plants three feet or so in height. The value of 

 the grape plant lies in the fruit and not in the 

 vine." 



Yet all the grapes except the Muscatel (or 

 Muscat) call loudly for further improvement, 

 especially in the matter of rich flavor. And the 

 Muscatels need something, too — a thicker or 

 tougher skin (we needn't eat it) to make them 

 ship better. Give them such a skin — it can 

 easily be done along Burbankian lines — and 

 more of these deliciously flavored grapes will 

 be sold in Eastern markets than of all other 

 California grapes combined. 



Seedless grapes are not among Burbank's 

 achievements; they have been raised for more 

 than a century. He is convinced, however, that 

 these very small grapes can be doubled in size 

 and improved in flavor by a certain cross 

 suggested by him. 



"Seedless raspberries, blackberries, gooseber- 

 ries, currants, with the energy saved reinvested 

 in added size or better flavor, call for some one 

 to bring them about. 



"Seedless figs, even, might be made, but 

 these could be counted no improvement; for 

 the seeds of the fig give the fruit its flavor." 



