LUTHER BURBANK 



No one doubts that the same laws of heredity 

 apply to plants, to animals, and to the human 

 race. How, then, can we doubt that the present 

 customs of human society, in which the less fit 

 members of the community are by far the most 

 prolific, must tend to encourage racial degenera- 

 tion? 



Seemingly there can be no difference of opin- 

 ion on this question. But serious differences arise 

 when we proceed to the natural inquiry as to what 

 may best be done to change the existing condi- 

 tions. 



The statement that it is desirable to increase 

 the prolificness of the better classes and to restrict 

 the fecundity of the inferior and defective classes, 

 considered as an abstract proposition, will pass 

 unchallenged. 



But whenever the attempt is made to suggest 

 specific means through which these ends may be 

 attained, such suggestions are sure to be met with 

 violent opposition. 



Nevertheless, it is incumbent upon us, in the 

 present connection, to endeavor to view the situa- 

 tion without sentimentality, and from the stand- 

 point of the student of heredity. 



In particular, we are called upon to make 

 application, as best we may, of the principles of 

 plant development that are revealed by a study of 

 Mr. Burbank's work, in their bearing on the 

 breeding of the human plant. And when we view 

 the matter from this standpoint, it would appear 

 that there are at least a few specific propositions 



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