LUTHER BURBANK 



regions, there is probability of a good deal of 

 variation even among trees of the same species. 



The more usual method, however, in California, 

 is to germinate the seed in a hothouse, growing the 

 young plants in pots at first, and then removing 

 them to boxes that they may be more readily 

 transplanted, as they make slender, wiry roots. 

 They are as easily grown as kernels of corn, though 

 requiring much longer periods of time. Occasion- 

 ally, however, they are planted in nursery rows, 

 and it is sometimes desirable to transplant them 

 after they have obtained a growth of twenty or 

 thirty feet in height, and a diameter of trunk of 

 one or two feet. 



In such a case, it is necessary to cut around the 

 roots of the tree some time before removal, making 

 a ball of earth that is to be removed with the tree. 

 This treatment induces the palm to throw out new 

 roots, giving added firmness, and making provision 

 for the rapid absorption of moisture and nourish- 

 ment after transplantation. 



A box being constructed around the soil, the 

 palm may be removed to any distance. 



Sometimes a single palm thus transported is of 

 such size as to require an entire flat car. But 

 unless the precaution is taken to cut back the roots 

 and allow them to stand for some time before 

 removal, as just suggested, there is danger that the 



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