LUTHER BURBANK 



At the same time the other eye pushes out sail- 

 like leaves extending several inches above the 

 outer casing. 



Then, with sails set, and aided by the current 

 of the stream, the nut starts out on its journey to 

 find an environment of its own. 



Once landed, after weeks, perhaps, of travel, 

 the roots which have been growing inside force 

 their way out into the moist soil at the water's 

 edge the sail leaves begin to grow into stalks, 

 which later develop into the trunk of the tree, 

 the waves start to build new ground by washing 

 sand around it, and the first page in the history 

 of a new palm in a new environment is written. 

 * * * * * 



The hard shell surrounding the stored-up milk 

 in the coconut is there, obviously, as a protec- 

 tion from the monkeys; to prevent extermination 

 through their liking for the milk. 



And that excelsior packing, and that water- 

 proof housing, are these not as plainly the 

 palm's attempt to provide for its baby tree a new 



environment? 



***** 



We do not have to go to the tropics for 

 evidences like these. 



There is probably no more familiar weed in 

 our vacant lots than the common dandelion. 



[96] 



