CHAPTER II 
GENERAL METHODS OF WORK 
Bock passing to the individual crea- 
tions of Mr. Burbank, it will be of inter- 
est to consider the general plan of his life- 
work, reserving for later chapters the minutie 
of the methods, so presented and so fortified 
by advice from Mr. Burbank that the ama- 
teur, no less than the professional, may receive 
suggestions for the prosecution of plant-breed- 
ing, one of the most fascinating occupations 
in the world, and one full of great practical 
possibilities. Indeed, as Mr. Burbank puts it, 
results of enormous value to the race may at 
any time come from the work of any man 
who takes up plant-breeding with patience 
and intelligent interest. 
The aim of Mr. Burbank, aside from that 
paramount object always overshadowing all 
else, to give aid to the race, is threefold: 
1. The improvement of old varieties of 
fruits, flowers, grasses, trees and vegetables. 
24 
