CHAPTER XI 



BREEDING FOR PERFUME 



"V^ST" HEN one has come to some apprecia- 

 ™ ^ tion of the wide extent of Mr. Bur- 

 bank's life-work among the plants of the 

 world, it is not difficult to imagine the flowers 

 gathered in delicate array to make known 

 their individual needs, praying for aid at the 

 hands of one who has never refused them 

 service. 



One has length and strength of stem but 

 meagerness of blossom, it is longing for more 

 beautiful flowers; — an answer to its prayer 

 comes in the passing of the years and it grows 

 on and on until it bears a rare, fragrant 

 coronal. One has never been able to hold up 

 its head in the presence of its fellows, bearing 

 its blossoms on a single side of its stem, a sad, 

 top-heavy state; — cannot help be given? As 

 swiftly as may be the gift of grace follows, 

 and now its blossoms surround its stem in 

 radiant beauty. Another has never liked its 



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