THE CARNEGIE INSTITUTION GRANT 
very broadest meaning; and, next, it must 
be aid devoted, as he is devoted, to the welfare 
of the world, which should enable him to at- 
tain in his own way a still larger measure of 
usefulness than he could have accomplished 
alone. Important as his work has already 
been, even more must have been accomplished 
had there been greater freedom of service. 
During a period of fifteen or eighteen years 
there had been frequent suggestions made by 
those who knew the work best that aid of 
some kind should be given in order that the 
work should not suffer. Suggestions, now and 
then came in reviews in local newspapers of 
the wonderful things being accomplished. 
Now and then some government official, in- 
terested in the scientific and practical depart- 
ments of the broad subject of plant develop- 
ment, visited Mr. Burbank, was amazed at the 
enterprise under way, and was full of regret 
that the government could not take hold of 
the work and help carry it forward,—it would 
be impossible, was the usual line of thought, 
for the government to offer any specific aid 
without incurring the charge of paternalism 
and opening the way to an indefinite and 
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