LUTHER BURBANK 



were somewhat lacking in the other qualities. The 

 great popularity of the flower has led to such 

 perfectionment of its various characteristics in 

 recent years that the standard of competition is 

 very high, and it would be useless to introduce a 

 new variety that did not measure up in all regards 

 to the existing varieties. 



So up to the present time the fragrant dahlias 

 have not been introduced, except three or four, 

 which were purchased by Vaughan, of Chicago. 



Further experiments in selective breeding, 

 aided probably by hybridization, will be neces- 

 sary before the quality of fragrance is combined 

 with satisfactory qualities of size and form and 

 color. But, as I said, there is every probability that 

 these combinations will be effected in due course, 

 and that races of dahlias which combine all the 

 qualities for which the flower is now prized, with 

 the added quality of pleasing aroma, will be 

 available. 



Wider Hybridization Attempted 



We have seen that the experiments through 

 which the original wild dahlias were transformed 

 into gorgeous double flowers of a characteristic 

 type utilized the principle of hybridization at all 

 stages. In my own experiments, I have attempted 

 toi extend the principle, not merely to all the flow- 

 ers of the genus, but also to those of allied genera. 



[224] 



