256 GARDENING WITH BRAINS V 



things we want most; hence the need of plant 

 breeders, of systematic supergardening with 

 brains. The following paragraph is illuminat- 

 ing: 



"Nature has been carrying on selective world- 

 wide breeding of plants and animals on a con- 

 stantly widening scale for millions of years; 

 but^nature does not care for sweet com, melons, 

 Bartlett pears; luscious, juicy, fragrant peaches; 

 large, early, sweet cherries; thin-skinned, seed- 

 less, juicy oranges; large grapes of many seasons, 

 colors, and flavors; pineapples with their de- 

 lightful aroma; prunes with sugar content 

 sufficient to preserve them while drying; large, 

 crisp cabbages; head lettuce; 'Quality' aspara- 

 gus; self-blanching celery; double roses; vari- 

 colored carnations; cactus dahlias or wonder- 

 fully colored gladioli; cannas and lilacs with 

 new perfumes and a beautiful range of splendid 

 color effects; or the farmers' crops of varied 

 grains, and potatoes which now are, in most 

 cases, at least, a hundred times as productive 

 and of almost infinitely improved qualities. 



"But man has, at first unconsciously and 

 later consciously, produced all these marvelous 

 improvements in everything, plant and animal, 

 which is useful to him; not by nature's method 

 of selective breeding for the continuance of life 

 at any cost, but for definite purpose to supply 

 the world with food, clothing, shelter, and 

 luxuries." Read the chapter on "Planning a 



