208 LUTHER BURBANK 



was small and the work was presently discon- 

 tinued, although several of these and similar 

 varieties developed are still catalogued by some 

 American and European seedsmen. 



Other crucifers that the gardener thinks of 

 collectively, though, they represent various 

 genera, are the peppergrass and the various 

 cresses, including the nasturtium. 



The common peppergrass is as variable as the 

 lettuce. There are large numbers of plants 

 horticulturally called cresses, with a consider- 

 able range of variation. 



One of the most interesting forms with which 

 I have worked is a Chilean cress (Nasturtium 

 Chilense) , which is as tender as the common 

 water cress during the rainy season, and which 

 has an astonishing ability to resist drought. This 

 Chilean variety will withstand our summer, even 

 if exposed to the blazing sun, and after a period 

 of dormancy will revive and grow freely as soon 

 as the fall and winter rains come. 



Experiments with it have been confined to 

 selection for the development of varieties show- 

 ing the best qualities of the plant. 



With the peppergrass I have worked some- 

 what more extensively. Some specimens of this 

 plant have very finely dissected leaves, having 

 worked to develop this variety which produces 



