BURBANK IN THE ORCHARD 



market, and working with the seedlings along the 

 lines suggested above. 



Mr. Burbank has used the wild crab apple in 

 some of his experiments, and has produced a 

 hybrid of large size, retaining certain qualities of 

 the wild fruit. He has also developed an extraor- 

 dinary plum, of enormous size and of almost in- 

 credible productivity, by hybridizing the little 

 beach plum with various cultivated varieties. 



These are experiments that you may duplicate 

 with very little trouble, the results of which are 

 sure to be surprising and fascinating. 



Even before the blossoms come, you may begin 

 operations by grafting scions of good varieties 

 on the branches of your old trees. Also, you 

 should start at once germinating some seeds, to 

 raise seedlings that will be grafted or budded on 

 your trees later in the season. 



If, in addition, you will prune your old orchard 

 trees thoroughly, and cultivate and fertilize the 

 soil about their roots, you will have prepared the 

 way for a crop of improved fruit the coming fall, 

 and for a series of fascinating experiments in the 

 development of new varieties. 



You may plant the seeds at once on taking them 

 from the fruit, as soon as the fruit is ripe in the 

 fall, provided you have a warm place in which 

 to keep them over winter. Plant them in a box 

 or can, in soil prepared according to Mr. Bur- 

 bank's formula already given. They will thus 

 get a good start, and will be ready for transplant- 

 ing or for grafting in the early spring. 



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