LUTHER BURBANK 



Greece, and numerous minor principalities. As 

 a direct sequel of that conclave of the seven am- 

 bitious brothers, their little estate became the 

 cradle of monarchs. The self-abnegation prac- 

 ticed by the six brothers bore fruit that exalted 

 their family from the control of a petty dukedom 

 to the rank of kings and emperors. 



And it was no blind chance that brought about 

 this extraordinary advancement. It was the con- 

 scious application of laws of heredity which are 

 followed all over the world in the breeding of 

 domestic animals, but which have been for the 

 most part ignored in breeding men. To-day the 

 word eugenics is heard on every side and the idea 

 for which it stands is in the air. It is a new 

 word, and most people perhaps suppose that the 

 idea is also new. But this is fallacious. I have 

 cited the case of the seven brothers a perfectly 

 authenticated historical case which will further 

 claim our attention in a later chapter to give 

 tangible illustration of the fact that practical 

 eugenics as applied to the human race is no new 

 art. 



The new thing is merely that nowadays we 

 should begin to think it worth while to apply this 

 art to humanity in general, whereas hitherto it 

 has been reserved for the breed of kings. 



NEW KNOWLEDGE FKOM PLANT BEEEDING 



It is true, however, that we have gained in 

 recent years a great deal of precise knowledge as 



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