LUTHER BURBANK 



fixity. Meantime, the fact that the tree has a 

 beautiful flower gives opportunity for a line of 

 experiment that is usually possible only among 

 herbs and bushes, inasmuch as most of our trees, 

 as the reader is well aware, are wind-fertilized, 

 and hence do not bear conspicuous blossoms. 



There are several other trees, however, that 

 resemble the tulip tree in the matter of blossom 

 bearing, and that are not altogether unlike it in 

 general appearance, some of which have corre- 

 sponding interest, being representatives of ancient 

 forms, even if not quite rivaling the tulip tree in 

 the length of their unmodified pedigrees. 



The catalpa and the magnolia may be named 

 as perhaps the chief representatives of these flow- 

 ering trees. Both of these are represented by 

 several species, and the representatives of each are 

 subject to considerable variation. 



There are at least two distinct hybrid catalpas, 

 involving three species, and I have noted great 

 difference in the rapidity of growth of seedlings; 

 also variation in color and abundance of flowers, 

 in length of seed-pods, and in manner of growth 

 of the trees themselves, some being much more 

 upright that others. 



I have seen magnolia hybrids also, and have 

 thought it matter for surprise that there are not 

 more of them, for the trees are readily cross- 



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