NEW CREATIONS IN PLANT LIFE 



greatly influenced by Mr. Burbank. Year by 

 year he has given new plums to the markets, 

 a long time elapsing, of course, before they 

 make their way, because they must first be 

 tested by him for a series of years in order 

 to see that they maintain their standard, and 

 several additional years must elapse before 

 enough can be grown to supply commercial 

 demands. But as each new plum comes for- 

 ward, its excellencies at once appeal to the 

 public, and the growers are hard pushed to 

 supply the demand. While he constantly has 

 in mind the production of plums beautiful to 

 look upon, he pays particular attention to the 

 shipping qualities. The plums must be not 

 only beautiful but they must withstand long 

 journeys by rail and water. So he has bred his 

 plums with this in mind, and has made them 

 firmer of flesh and skin — has given them en- 

 durance. Many illustrations might be given of 

 the keeping qualities of the plums, but one 

 will suffice. Some plums were sent from 

 Santa Rosa by mail, of course without any of 

 the aids of refrigerator cars. It was done as a 

 test of their endurance. They were intended 

 to be sent to a point in Virginia, but, by mis- 



124 



