ON THE ORIGIN OF NEW SPECIES 
choose a different way or else choose species 
which require or admit a different method. 
“Theoretically, however, it is of great im- 
portance to compare this principle with the 
method of selection generally in vogue in 
Europe, where they do not work upon such a 
large scale. In Europe the preference is given 
to repeated selections, with the idea that the 
desired results may be reached by going the 
regular road. If they wish to increase the size 
of a flower to a stipulated limit, they do not 
sow at one time great quantities, as does Bur- 
bank, but a great deal less and pick out the 
largest to raise from. On the progeny raised 
from that seed the same process is followed, 
and so in four or five years the desired result 
is reached; at least if the desires are limited to 
the possible attainment. 
“The theoretical question now is: By such 
a repeated selection do we proceed faster than 
by a single sowing out upon a much greater 
scale? With five years’ labor we have to culti- 
vate so much fewer that the expense would 
thereby be lessened in proportion, but against 
this plan comes the disadvantage very nat- 
urally that the results would only come in so 
221 
