LUTHER BURBANK 



But, on the other hand, it is necessary in the 

 pursuit of practical plant developments to have 

 a tolerably precise idea in mind as to the 

 particular direction in which progress is desirable. 



Lacking such an ideal, the breeder of plants 

 would be about as likely to produce new creations 

 of value as an architect would be likely to 

 construct a fine building by putting materials 

 together at random without a carefully precon- 

 ceived plan. 



"In what percentage of cases have you achieved 

 the ideal at which you aimed in the production 

 of new varieties of flowers or fruits?" a visitor 

 asked me. 



The question is almost impossible of definite 

 answer. When I first commenced, doubtless a 

 very small proportion of my experiments came 

 out as I expected. But now, with years of experi- 

 ence to guide me, I may say that I practically 

 always get something not far different from what 

 I desire. In many cases, the result comes just 

 about as I expected. But this is because I am 

 working with plants that I have previously tested. 



With a new plant I am still sometimes in 

 doubt. But if it is a case of poppies or walnuts 

 or any one of a score or so of other plants that 

 I have fully tested, I know just about what to 

 expect. 



[8] 



