LUTHER BURBANK 



The great difficulty which stands in the way of 

 cultivation of the dandelion is its exceeding pro- 

 lificness. The heads of the flower will ripen even 

 when the plant has been pulled up by the roots. 

 It is even alleged that the plant will develop seed 

 when the flowers are not poUenized, This and the 

 capacity to ripen seeds from the unopened bud 

 makes the plant peculiarly difficult to eradicate, 

 and it becomes an almost intolerable pest in 

 lawns. 



Should an attempt be made to cultivate the 

 dandelion, therefore, the aim should be to develop 

 the leaves at the expense of the flower. Doubtless 

 it would require long series of experimental 

 efforts, but in the end it would probably be possible 

 to develop a dandelion that would produce an 

 abundance of large, succulent leaves somewhat as 

 the lettuce does. Meantime the tendency to 

 excessive flower production could be restricted. 



At least two other members of the Composite 

 family that rank as weeds, and are generally held 

 to be obnoxious, deserve to be named as offering 

 possibilities of usefulness if properly educated. 

 These are the thistle and the burdock. 



That the thistle is a succulent herb that brows- 

 ing animals have found palatable, is proved by 

 its development of an elaborate system of pro- 

 tective thorns. Of course, these thorns must be 



[198] 



