LUTHER BURBANK 



has been in the past, and will soon achieve the 

 popularity that it deserves. 



How THE BLACKBERRY LOST ITS THORNS 



As long ago as 1880, while I was still following 

 the pursuit of a practical nurseryman and giving 

 only incidental attention to plant development, I 

 made experiments in the attempt to produce 

 thornless berries. But these experiments were 

 nearly total failures. 



The plant with which I worked was a black- 

 berry bush known as the Wachusetts Thornless, 

 which was introduced and alleged to be thornless 

 about 1880. I raised seedlings from this plant, 

 and also crossed it with other blackberries. But 

 I was much preoccupied with other experiments 

 and was greatly handicapped for means, and 

 therefore neglected to carry the experiments to a 

 practical conclusion. 



In point of fact the Wachusetts, which had 

 been found partially thornless in the state of na- 

 ture, had a goodly supply of thorns distributed 

 here and there over the plant. It had fewer briars 

 than most other blackberries, to be sure, but it 

 was by no means the sort of bush to handle with 

 impunity or rub against your face without the 

 slightest danger, as may be done with the thorn- 

 less blackberry of to-day. 



The Wachusetts was not of a really smooth 



[10] 



