NEW CREATIONS IN PLANT LIFE 
promising ones are chosen for grafting. ‘These 
are grafted upon older trees, scores of them, 
perhaps, on a single tree, and all showing 
variations of leaf and fruit, presenting a curi- 
ous and striking appearance as they develop 
upon the same parent tree. As the grafts 
develop fruit the choicest ones are saved for 
further testing in order that, out of hundreds 
of thousands originally planted as seed, only 
the very best may be eventually saved. Color 
and size of leaf, shape of branch, size, color 
and taste of fruit, general appearance as to 
hardiness and thrift, prolificness,—all these 
and other points Mr. Burbank has under con- 
sideration as he makes his selections from 
season to season in his search for the best of 
all. Selection here, as in the production of his 
flowers, is imperative,—always the best froar 
the best. 
The production of a new plum is not lightly 
to be entered upon, particularly when the 
scale of the work is that of Mr. Burbank’s. 
First there must be a definite pattern, so to 
speak, in mind. If prevailing types of plums 
lack symmetry of form or beauty of color, the 
new plum must be planned to supply these 
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