CERTAIN GENERAL FEATURES 



great as that of the companion of the same 

 lot of seed. The difference between the two 

 was that one was a slow-growing, the other 

 a rapid-growing seedling. As in all manner 

 of fruit tree and other tree tests the seed- 

 Hngs vary greatly in the rapidity of their 

 growi;h, so in the grasses, — the test under 

 way was to determine which one of these 

 seedlings was the fastest growing and most 

 vigorous; from that final selection would 

 be made in the development of a better type 

 of grass. Mr. Burbank has been studying 

 for a long time the question of providing a 

 rich, nutritious grass for barren regions. It 

 is on this line he has been at work, as well 

 as upon the production of lawn grasses 

 which will grow much more compact and get 

 along with less water than the old types of 

 grass. The tests in grasses promise to be of 

 exceptional interest and value. 



Mr. Burbank also recognizes a large field 

 of operations in the improvement of native 

 wild grasses, and even in the ennoblement 

 of the weeds themselves. Upon this point 

 he says: 



"What occupation can be more delightful 



167 



