156 LUTHER BURBANK 



found that the seeds themselves made up half 

 the total weight. 



There was a wide variation in the cones 

 themselves and in the seed from different trees. 



The seed when dried kept its germinating 

 quality for seven or eight years. But only a very 

 small proportion of the seeds will germinate 

 under any circumstances, even when fresh. This 

 seems to be especially true of seeds collected 

 from the younger trees — a fact that accentuates 

 the already sufficient difficulties that confront 

 the plant developer who cares to undertake the 

 rather discouraging task of experimental breed- 

 ing with these antique giants. 



Nevertheless, it should be recorded that a 

 certain amount of work has been done with the 

 redwood, particularly in the way of selecting 

 trees that bear weeping branches and other 

 unique characters. I have observed that seed- 

 lings usually show the characteristic drooping 

 branches of the parent form. Most of the seed- 

 lings show a rather wide range of variation of 

 foliage, particularly where seed from different 

 localities is sown. Some are much lighter in 

 color than others, and there are various interest- 

 ing characteristics that may be noted by a close 

 observer, leaving no doubt that there is sufficient 

 material for the purposes of the plant developer. 



