38 LUTHER BUBBANK 



The hawthorns are hardy shrubs or small trees, 

 of vigorous growth. There are about seventy 

 species available for crossing experiments, and 

 some of them already bear fruit that is of good 

 size and of excellent quality when cooked. 



Doubtless the original apple — the progenitor 

 of all modern varieties — was no better than the 

 best of the present native hawthorns. Who will 

 give us a new race of fruits to compete with the 

 apple, through bringing out the only half-hidden 

 qualities of this responsive shrub? 



Largely by chance, certain plants 

 have come under the attention of 

 man, and thus have been brought 

 about the familiar fruits of our or- 

 chards, vineyards, and berry fields; 

 who can predict the surprises tchich 

 the orchards and vineyards and 

 berry fields of the next generation 

 will reveal? 



