THE NEW WORK 



few seeds came up out of the ground three or 

 four little plants were selected as being worthy 

 of further test, and their seeds were again 

 planted. This larger outcome was satisfactory 

 from the standpoint of thornlessness, for the 

 new generation persisted in this desirable 

 quality. But the fruit was no better, small, 

 sour, big-seeded, absolutely worthless. 



The following year a much larger number 

 of plants were afforded for selection and the 

 present season, 1907, twenty -five thousand 

 absolutely thornless blackberries are growing 

 on the grounds at Sebastopol in the midst of 

 ! one of the most interesting tests Mr. Burbank 

 has ever carried forward. While, as the test 

 progresses, undeniable excellencies appear in 

 certain of the berries of the new plants, as 

 compared with the berries when the test be- 

 gan, some larger, or having smaller and fewer 

 seeds, or slightly better in taste or color, and 

 while a perfected berry could no doubt be 

 effected by constantly making selection of 

 these slightly improved berries and so building 

 them up year by year, yet whenever, as in this 

 instance, there is a shorter route, safe and well 

 guarded, Mr. Burbank always takes it. So in 



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