108 LUTHER BURBANK 



bulbs of this species that I was obliged to destroy 

 in a single season. 



Such are the possibilities of multiplication of 

 a plant. Such is the geometrical ratio at which 

 the offspring of a single individual increase if 

 given encouragement. Boundless, then, are the 

 possibilities that lie before the plant developer 

 who discovers a single specimen of a beautiful 

 aberrant type. 



What we wish to illustrate at the moment, 

 however, is not the possibilities of multiplication 

 of the plant, but the interest that attaches to the 

 development of unexpected variations. And 

 that the possibility of finding a new form in your 

 flower garden almost any morning will give 

 perpetual interest to your task, and will come 

 to be a compelling incentive that will take 

 you to the garden as steel is drawn to the 

 magnet. 



To illustrate the possibilities from the case 

 directly in hand, let us recall the new race of 

 balloon-flowers, the evolution of which we have 

 just traced. This experiment began with the 

 ideal of a balloon-flower of better form, more 

 graceful placement of flowers, and individual 

 blossoms larger and of more brilliant color. 

 These ends were in due course attained, and the 

 steps have been traced briefly through which 



