LUTHER BURBANK 



The many tribes of coreopsis give opportunity 

 for experiments of equal interest. These plants 

 are composites, and in hybridizing them it will be 

 necessary to use the method detailed in our story 

 of the dahlia, washing away the pollen before 

 applying pollen from the other flower. 



The different members of the family vary in 

 color from deepest purplish crimson to light yel- 

 low and white. There are numerous species under 

 cultivation, and there are wild ones growing as 

 roadside weeds that are readily accessible. The 

 variability of the different races makes them an 

 interesting race with which to work. 



My own work with the tribe has included a 

 good many species, the most important of which 

 is the one known as the Coreopsis linceolita. The 

 experiments look to the increase of the number 

 of florets, as well as to the size of the flowers and 

 abundant bearing. I also had in mind improving 

 the form of the plant. There was no great diffi- 

 culty in doubling the size of the flower, and in the 

 course of four years, working with seed purchased 

 in the common market, varieties were produced 

 that were considered worthy of introduction, and 

 that were distributed by several leading florists. 



The developed varieties had exceptional value 

 because of the large size of the flowers and of the 

 small center; also because of the long stems, mak- 



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