LUTHER BURBANK 
fixity. Meantime, the fact that the tree has a 
beautiful flower gives opportunity for a line of 
experiment that is usually possible only among 
herbs and bushes, inasmuch as most of our trees, 
as the reader is well aware, are wind-fertilized, 
and hence do not bear conspicuous blossoms. 
There are several other trees, however, that 
resemble the tulip tree in the matter of blossom 
bearing, and that are not altogether unlike it in 
general appearance, some of which have corre- 
sponding interest, being representatives of ancient 
forms, even if not quite rivaling the tulip tree in 
the length of their unmodified pedigrees. 
The catalpa and the magnolia may be named 
as perhaps the chief representatives of these flow- 
ering trees. Both of these are represented by 
several species, and the representatives of each are 
subject to considerable variation. 
There are at least two distinct hybrid catalpas, 
involving three species, and I have noted great 
difference in the rapidity of growth of seedlings; 
also variation in color and abundance of flowers, 
in length of seed-pods, and in manner of growth 
of the trees themselves, some being much more 
upright that others. 
I have seen magnolia hybrids also, and have 
thought it matter for surprise that there are not 
more of them, for the trees are readily cross- 
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