LUTHER BURBANK 
I have raised large numbers of conifers of 
many species, and have experimented with them 
in the way of selection, producing in some cases 
varieties of considerable interest. 
I have, for example, developed several beauti- 
ful varieties of the spruce, including some very 
conspicuous forms with weeping foliage; also some 
that grew very compactly, being strikingly differ- 
ent in appearance from the usual spruce with its 
long, graceful branches. 
Variations in the color of foliage have also been 
given attention, especially in the case of the Colo- 
rado yew cypress (Abies nordmanniana). I have 
observed variations from budding sprouts in the 
case of this cypress that were of interest. In par- 
ticular I have seen a branch in a wild species (a 
bud sport) that would droop several feet below 
the other branches. Such a branch may generally 
be propagated by grafting or from cuttings, and a 
race of trees having this habit may thus be devel- 
oped. There are corresponding variations in 
cypress and other conifers grown from the seed. 
The Douglas Spruce is a common California 
form that is quite variable, and in this also the 
variations sometimes appear as bud sports. The 
Douglas Spruce has exceptional interest, because 
it is a tree of very rapid growth. In many cases 
where a tract of land has been burned over or the 
[288] 
