LUTHER BURBANK 



species, but I have had no success in either 

 direction. 



I have made hybridizing experiments not only 

 with the common species and the foreign ones 

 already mentioned, but also with other species 

 from the west coast of Mexico, and from Arizona 

 and Texas. But hitherto I have been imable to 

 secure a single hybrid. 



The plants grown from the seeds received from 

 my collector, Mr. Walter Bryant, in Western Mex- 

 ico, have husks of the most delightful fragrance. 

 The aroma clings to the husk for months. It has 

 no connection with the fruit itself. This form has 

 proved the most difficult of all the ground cherries 

 to germinate from seed, or to grow after the plants 

 are produced. It is well worthy of attention, even 

 if grown solely for the fragrance of the husks. But 

 in addition to this, the fruit is of good quality. 



It is about the size of the ordinary ground 

 cherry, but a little more orange in color. 



Even at the present stage the fruit of the ground 

 cherry is sometimes used for making pies, pud- 

 dings, and preserves. The Peruvian species in 

 particular produces a great quantity of superior 

 fruit. There is sufficient variation between the 

 different species to afford abundant material for 

 development. If hybridization could be effected, 

 there is every reason to suppose that greatly 



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