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to countless amateurs printers, merchants, doctors, lawyers, lumber- 

 men, millers, editors, factory hands, and last, but by no means 

 least, nurserymen and farmers who had no "college training" in 

 agriculture, who in no sense considered themselves scientists, but who 

 used what little knowledge they had to solve pomological problems 

 for the love of still better knowledge to give to the world. 



Perhaps the greatest service they have rendered is in the origination 

 of new varieties. In this work they were largely gropers because the 

 laws of plant breeding a generation ago were far less understood than 

 today. Through enhanced knowledge this same field of variety origi- 

 nation offers even more wonderful opportunities than in the past. 

 While beyond the scope of this volume, I am eager to point out that 

 herein lies the greatest interest for the amateur; for just as in the 

 past the originator of new varieties may do his work in a back yard 

 now-a-days with far greater chances of making fortunate combinations 

 of parents and of finding varieties superior to those now under culti- 

 vation than in by-gone days. 



In support of this contention let it be remembered that Luther 

 Burbank started his business life as a factory hand, but became a 

 grower of vegetables and seeds before he became a variety originator. 

 Though the practical results of his work have been exploited, magnified, 

 distorted and even caricatured by the press, they doubtless compare 

 favorably with those of other less conspicuous breeders; but his 

 results seem to be of smaller consequence than his influence in awaken- 

 ing general interest in plant breeding. He has proved that new 

 plants unlike anything hitherto known can be originated, and his 

 work has thus become an inspiration to countless amateurs who seek 

 to follow in his footsteps or blaze new trails for themselves. 



A good way to prevent splitting of a Y crotch is by boring a 



hole in each arm for a belt, provided with a large washer at 



each end. Incorrect way is shown on page 46 



