100 LUTHER BURBAXK 



But num h«t, at firtt uneooiciously and latei 

 oonacioiitly, produced all thcae mairelout im- 

 provementt and ten thoutand others and is nov 

 making and will make improrements in evtrr 

 thing, plant and animal, which is useful to } 

 not by nature's method of selective breeding 

 the continuance of life at any cost, but for 

 defimU purpoie to supply the world with food 

 clothing, shelter, and luxuries. 



*'In what percentage of cases hare you 

 achieved the ideal at which you aimed in Die 

 production of new varieties of flowers or fruits? 

 is asked. 



The question is almost impossible of definite 

 answer. When I first commenoed, doubtless a 

 very small proportion of these experiments came 

 out as expected. But now» with years of experi 

 ence to guide me, it may be said that I practicall) 

 always get something not far different from what 

 is desired. In most cases the result comes just 

 about as expected. But this is because 1 am 

 working with plants that I have previously 

 tested. 



With a new plant there is sometimes doubt. 

 But if it is a case of poppies or walnuts, plums, 

 corn, peaches, wheat, carnations, potatoes, and a 

 thousand or more others that have been fully 

 tested, I know just about what to expect. 



