LUTHER BURBANK 



torily with Salpiglosis, for the plants are botani- 

 cally related pretty closely. 



An illustration of what can be accomplished by 

 an amateur who devotes attention to a single plant 

 is given by the work of Mrs. Sheppard, of Ventura, 

 California, and her neighbor, Mrs. Gould. The 

 former took up the cultivation of flowers for the 

 healthful outdoor life on the recommendation of 

 her physician, and the latter became interested in 

 the work through observation of the results 

 achieved by her neighbor. 



On the advice of Mrs. Sheppard, Mrs. Gould 

 took up the cultivation of the petunia as a spe- 

 cialty. The result has been that some of the finest 

 strains of petunias that are known have been sent 

 out from California. One of the largest and best 

 of these is the form known as the Ruffled Giant. 



A great amount of time and skill are required 

 in raising the best petunia seed, and there is still 

 opportunity for improvement. It is particularly 

 necessary to use good taste in the selection and 

 combination of the colors. It is found to be, on 

 the whole, easier to produce large flowers than 

 those having a blending of clear, pleasing colors. 

 There are a few common garden plants that give 

 better opportunity for work of the amateur, par- 

 ticularly for one who has gained a certain amount 

 of skill through previous experiment. The inter- 



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