LUTHER BURBANK 



Some of the improved Darwin seedlings 

 produced tubers of exceptional size, though as 

 before stated, much subject to decay. If the 

 breeding experiments were conducted along right 

 lines it would probably be possible to produce in 

 later generations a hybrid that combined the large 

 size of tuber of the Darwin with the keeping 

 qualities of the cultivated potato. It is really of 

 great importance that the experiments should be 

 repeated and carried forward to a successful issue. 



What has just been said as to the curious results 

 of hybridizing experiments with this species will 

 sufficiently indicate that experiments of this kind 

 will not be lacking in interest. 



Experiments already far advanced at Santa 

 Rosa, using the Solanum Commersoni, a species 

 growing wild in the region of the Mercedes River, 

 in South America, for a time gave great promise. 

 The hybrids between this plant and the cultivated 

 potato showed great improvement in some direc- 

 tions, but all the seedlings lacked one desirable 

 character or another. The chief trouble was the 

 bitter principle which was transmitted by the 

 commersoni to almost all its hybrid seedlings. 



I have, however, a very complex hybrid that is 

 about to be introduced — the fruit is of a reddish 

 color, almost apple shape. The plant is very 

 productive, and the tuber is of fine quality. 



[302] 



