LUTHER BURBANK 



fertilized. Doubtless the fact that different 

 species bloom at different seasons largely accounts 

 for the relative infrequency of natural crossing. 



There is an opportunity to work with the 

 catalpa, and I could scarcely mention a plant that 

 seems to me to give better promise for experiments 

 in crossing and selection than the great family of 

 magnolias. 



If the seeds are planted while fresh, they germ- 

 inate readily. The seedlings are easily raised 

 almost as easily as apples or pears. 



Among the magnolia seedlings now growing on 

 my grounds, there are some that will grow three 

 or four feet the first season, while others grow as 

 many inches. Some have a branching habit, and 

 others form an upright front. The leaf varies in 

 breadth and length and in general appearance. 

 Some are early bloomers and some are late bloom- 

 ers. There are different shades of flowers. All in 

 all, there is abundant opportunity for interesting 

 experiments in selective breeding. 



Among other interesting deciduous trees, all of 

 which afford ready opportunity for experimenta- 

 tion, are the acacia and its relative the locust (the 

 seeds of which may best be made ready for germi- 

 nation by boiling), the alder, which is extremely 

 variable and with which I have made interesting 

 experiments; the ash, which affords excellent 



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