NEW CREATIONS IN PLANT LIFE 
greatly influenced by Mr. Burbank. Year by 
year he has given new plums to the markets, 
a long time elapsing, of course, before they 
make their way, because they must first be 
tested by him for a series of years in order 
to see that they maintain their standard, and 
several additional years must elapse before 
enough can be grown to supply commercial 
demands. But as each new plum comes for- 
ward, its excellencies at once appeal to the 
public, and the growers are hard pushed to 
supply the demand. While he constantly has 
in mind the production of plums beautiful to 
look upon, he pays particular attention to the 
shipping qualities. The plums must be not 
only beautiful but they must withstand long 
journeys by rail and water. So he has bred his 
plums with this in mind, and has made them 
firmer of flesh and skin—has given them ea- 
durance. Many illustrations might be given of 
the keeping qualities of the plums, but one 
will suffice. Some plums were sent from 
Santa Rosa by mail, of course without any of 
the aids of refrigerator cars. It was done as a 
test of their endurance. They were intended 
to be sent to a point in Virginia, but, by mis- 
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