124 LUTHER BURBANK 



might lead to the development of new varieties 

 not without importance. 



Some Obstinate Root Bearers 



In marked contrast with the members of the 

 crucifer family, with their extraordinary tend- 

 ency to variation, are the two familiar members 

 of the garden family that are most prized for 

 their roots, the carrot and the parsnip. For these 

 have assumed a characteristic shape from which 

 they show very little tendency to vary, and even 

 under persistent cultivation have held very true 

 to their type. 



The plants are closely related, and both are 

 descended from wild forms that are poisonous. 

 Moreover the cultivated species themselves, if 

 allowed to hold over until the second season, may 

 in some cases develop a poisonous quality. But 

 as ordinarily grown from the seed and used the 

 first season, they constitute wholesome vegetables 

 of deserved popularity. 



My work with the parsnip has been confined to 

 the attempt to develop a race having roots that 

 are smoother and of a broader or more compact 

 form. But this was found to be a thankless task, 

 as the roots tend to reach downward in spite of 

 all the education that could be given them. It is 

 a persistent quality that the plant seems very un- 



