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 



