NEW CREATIONS IN PLANT LIFE 



general way with the cactus, he had been in- 

 terested in the plant from a child ; something 

 in its wild, stubborn, defiant life appealed to 

 him. This was greatly strengthened as the 

 years went by, and as he saw its tremendous 

 economic possibilities. 



The problem before him, as he set out his 

 first cactus plants on the morning of a fair 

 June day, was one of the most difficult ever 

 faced by a plant-breeder; in certain ways it 

 might be called the most difficult. It is doubt- 

 ful if Mr. Burbank himself, at the beginning 

 of this long and signally successful experiment, 

 realized the magnitude of the task before him, 

 or the vast possibilities. While at that time it 

 was known that there were thornless cacti, 

 they were of relatively small economic value 

 to the world. The insignificant bristling little 

 pests, with which he began the test, gave no 

 promise in themselves of the splendid crea- 

 tions which are today the fulfilment of one 

 of his most cherished plans. 



It was in the midst of a study of forage 

 plants and the possibilities of their improve- 

 ment, — various grasses, native and foreign, 

 wild and tame, a line of work still under way, 



373 



