LUTHER BURBANK 



thousands of seedling hybrids between the differ- 

 ent indigenous species were produced. But, on 

 the other hand, hybridization with the foreign lilies 

 was found to be rather difficult, different species 

 having seemingly diverged somewhat toward the 

 limits of affinity. 



One of the most successful crosses was that 

 made between the species known as Lilium Hum- 

 boldtii and L. parryi. The former has a very large 

 bold, thick petal, white, with large distinct spots, 

 and it is fragrant. The other parent is a tall, 

 slender variety, the flower being clear buttercup 

 yellow, with very small spots or none. 



The cross was made with some difficulty, and 

 the result was a lily which some connoisseurs have 

 considered one of the most beautiful ever devel- 

 oped. It grows about four feet in height, and its 

 flower is open bell-shaped, with partially curved 

 petals, brilliantly yellow in color, without a spot 

 or dot, and having a delightful fragrance. 



Another interesting cross was that between L. 

 pardaliniim and L. parvum. The hybrids of this 

 cross sometimes produce hundreds of blossoms on 

 a single stem, and several hundred clumps from a 

 single bulb. Not only do they multiply with 

 astonishing rapidity, but in size, color, and abund- 

 ance of bloom they exceed either parent, although 

 both parents are prolific bearers. 



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