LUTHER BURBANK 



As Europe became more and more settled, the 

 pear kept pace with the invaders. It followed them 

 to the British Isles, it followed them across the 

 Atlantic to America. It followed them westward 

 across this continent as the pioneers pushed their 

 way to the Pacific. 



In the same way it worked its eastward journey 

 through Siberia, and China, and Japan — more 

 slov/ly, perhaps, than under the influence of 

 European and American hurry and enterprise, but 

 just as constantly, and just as surely — till now, in 

 friendly climates, it is a world-wide fruit. 

 ***** 



Botli of the pear trees described here, as in fact 

 all of the pear trees which we know today, seem to 

 have coine from those coinmon parents in eastern 

 Europe or western Asia. 



The one in Mr. Burbank's yard which bears the 

 luscious fruit is the Bartlett pear — an excellent 

 though common varietj^ in the United States. 



The other, with its bitter, indigestible fruit, is 



one which was imported from Japan. 



***** 



The lesson which these two pear trees teach is 

 that fruits, like flowers, in their rivalry to please 

 us, adapt themselves to the tastes, desires, and 

 ideals of the human neighbors among whom tliej^ 

 grow. 



[120] 



