LUTHER BURBANK 



the outset of the period when my energies were 

 turned exclusively to experimental work, instead 

 of being unhampered by ordinary nursery duties, 

 had to do with the improvement of orchard fruits 

 on one hand and with certain flowering plants on 

 the other. From the outset, however, small fruits 

 were given almost equal attention. 



It had been made clear to me, through nursery 

 experience, that the varieties of fruits grown in 

 California at that time, being all of eastern origin, 

 were not ideally adapted to the new climatic con- 

 ditions of the Pacific Coast. It seemed desirable 

 that new varieties adapted to the new conditions 

 should be produced. 



So one prime object of my early work was to 

 develop orchard fruits, and notably prunes and 

 plums and peaches, that would be of value in the 

 development of the fruit industry in California. 



But I had in mind also the desirability of pro- 

 ducing fruits that would be adapted to growth in 

 other regions of the country. I observed that 

 most of the fruits then existing were lacking in 

 important qualities that are equally essential 

 wherever the fruit is grown. Many trees, for in- 

 stance, bore large crops one year or perhaps for 

 two years in succession, and then were practically 

 sterile in the ensuing season. A late spring frost, 

 too much rain at the time of blooming, or some 



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