16 



Luther BuKiiAXK, SAxNTA Rosa, Cai,, 



Rubus Capensis. ^ 



This peculiar berry-plant came to me by way of New Zealand from South 

 Africa, and is probably the one that Stanley speaks so highly of as growing in 

 places on the Dark Continent. The canes grow to a height of six to ten feet, 

 bending over and rooting from tips like Black-cap Raspberries. The whole 

 plant is cov^ered with a short, rusty down, and few short scattered prickles ; the 

 fruit is fully as large or larger than Shaffer's Colossal Raspberry, of a purplish 

 wine or mulberry color, and of excellent quality, though the berries do not 

 separate from the receptacle as freely as the}^ should ; it is a very promising 

 berry-plant. None for sale except the whole stock, consisting of some one 

 hundred and fifty or more large two-year-old bushes. Price, $300. 



From the introductory remarks in your catalogue Nkw Creations just received, I must 

 believe that it is sent to me purposely, and hence that courtesy re({uires an acknowledgment. 

 I have read it and have examined the photographic reproductions with much care, and I 

 can say that I am agreeably interested. vSome of your statements come within my experi- 

 ence ; others go far beyond. I, however, see nothing theoretically impossible in your 

 claimed results. In experimenting with hybridizing, there is a whole vista of good things 

 always in the prospect, and a life-study, almost, in the interesting results. I thank you for 

 the catalogue." (Dr.) E. Lhwis vSturtevant, Mass. 



" New Creations in Fruits and Flowers is the title of a remarkable and unique cata- 

 logvie. For many years, Luther Burbank— a name familiar to potato growers — has been 

 experimenting in the production of fruits and flowers from seeds, by selection hybridization 

 and cross-pollenation. He has now the greatest horticultural grounds in the world. The 

 fruits and flowers mentioned are the best of millions of seedlings ; some of them are mar- 

 velous : they are not simply new varieties, but new creations ; he has obliterated the lines 

 between species and produced hybrids between different species — heretofore considered 

 impossible. Mr. Burbank is an originator in horticulture, and a genius in his line, but he 

 is not an introducer. Whatever he produces of special value is offered for sale to nursery- 

 men, and will in due time reach the public through them. This catalogue is not for public 

 distribution. He is a busy man, intensely in love with his work — a work which must not 

 be interrupted." — Farui and Fireside. 



The photograph on the opposite page shows a sample pile of brush twelve 

 feet wide, fourteen feet high, and twenty-two feet long containing 65,000 two 

 and three-3'ear-old hybrid seedling berry bushes (40,000 Blackberr>^ X Rasp- 

 berry hybrids, and 25,000 Shaffer X Gregg hybrids) all dug with their crop 

 of ripening berries. 



This photograph is introduced to give a more correct idea of the work 

 necessary to produce a new race of berries of superlative excellence. Of the 

 40,000 Blackberr}- Raspberry hybrids of this kind, " Paradox" is the only one 

 now in existence. From the other 25,000 hybrids, about two dozen bushes are 

 left for further trial, but from these selected ones, wonderful new berries are 

 appearing whose forces are so fixed in the right direction that they generally 

 produce good and productive seedlings. This pile of brush cost in coin some- 

 thing like $700, and is one of fourteen similar piles which were cremated on 

 one of my places last summer. 



" In this connection we wish to say, as we have already tried to express to you, that 

 our high opinion of your work and consideration of your wishes in connection with the 

 introduction of your new fruits, would lead us to suggest that you prepare just the descrip- 

 tions you would like us to use in introducing them. Possibly there will be some alterations 

 or additions to the descriptions you give in your latest catalogues. In any event, be sure 

 our inclination is not to introduce witli any tinge of the customary exaggeration given new 

 fruits. Any points you can give us from time to time will be greatly appreciated." 



Stark Bros., Louisiana,' Mo. 



