LUTHER BURBAJJK 



I would especially emphasize the fact that there 

 are peculiarly inviting opportunities open to the 

 amateur in connection with this familiar but 

 almost totally neglected plant. 



The hawthorns are hardy shrubs or small treesj 

 of vigorous growth. There are about seventy 

 species available for hybridizing experiments, and 

 some of them already bear fruit that seems fairly 

 to beckon the would-be developer. 



Doubtless the original apple — the progenitor of 

 all modern varieties — ^was no better than the best 

 of the present native hawthorns. Who will give us 

 a new race of fruits to compete with the apple, 

 through bringing out the only half-hidden quali- 

 ties of this responsive shrub? 



— Largely by chance, certain 

 plants have come under the 

 tutorage of man, and thus have 

 been brought about the fa- 

 miliar fruits of our orchards, 

 vineyards and berry patches: 

 who can predict the surprises 

 which the orchards and vine- 

 yards and berry patches of 

 the next generation will reveal? 



