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 from 

 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 



114 



