286 LUTHER BURBANK 



little that has not been accepted by scientists 

 generally — little that requires explanation to 

 those who simply see the same things that I 

 have seen. 



I have no new theory of evolution to offer — 

 perhaps only a few details to add to the theories 

 which have already been worked out by men of 

 science. 



And I make these observations and conclu- 

 sions of mine a part of this work for two reasons : 



First, because they are products not of imag- 

 ination, reasoning, or any mental process — but 

 the practical observations and conclusions which 

 have gained force and proof, year by year, in a 

 lifetime of experience with plants — throughout 

 fifty years of continuous devotion to the subject, 

 during which time I have tried more than one 

 hundred thousand separate experiments on plant 

 life; and, as such, represent an important phase 

 of my life. 



Second, because an ever-present interest in 

 evolution — an ever-eager mind to peer backward 

 and forward — is essential not only in the prac- 

 tice of plant improvement, but even to the barest 

 understanding of it. 



To gain the first quick glimpse, let us liken 

 the process of evolution to a moving picture as 

 it is thrown on the screen. 



