LUTHER BURBANK 



of the community, should not be hampered by amy 

 financial restrictions, and should have the co- 

 operation of investigators in many parts of the 

 world; such co-operation as a government bureau 

 alone can command. 



During the past thirty years I have been 

 experimenting in a desultory way with various 

 grains and grasses, both of the best cultivated 

 varieties and numerous wild species. But I have 

 not as yet carried out serious experiments in 

 crossing the cereals. I have selected and perfected, 

 and some definite results are expected from work 

 now in hand. 



The interest already shown by the authorities 

 of the Department of Agriculture gives sufficient 

 assurance that the work will be carried forward 

 energetically and efficiently. That it will lead to 

 developments of vast importance, having direct 

 bearing on the improvement of all the small grains, 

 can scarcely be doubted. 



The little company of grasses, 

 represented by Wheat, Barley, 

 Rye and Oats, have, since pre- 

 historic times, occupied a pre- 

 eminent position in supplying 

 man and his domesticated ani- 

 mals with suitable foods. 



