On the otlicr liaud I have been able to produce under the system of breeding 
froiii "tame" species of niy own originating plants from six to eight feet high with 
proportionate vigor and vitality carrying flowers of equal proportions, these being 
the great incentive on account of their beauty and economic value, and although 
carrying the specific markings of their wild parents yet with every original color 
purified or intensified, and with every objectionable characteristic eliminated, or, as 
Mendell would say, rendered latent. Many of these modern types stand nearly six 
feet to the top of the foliage before the flower spike appears and which adds fully 
two feet more to the plant at maturity, while those bred closely to the "wild" 
species average to 3j4 feet to the top of the matured flower spike. 
While T might multiply illustrations with many valuable lessons on every point 
of interest to plant breeders, as it is to these that this paper is addressed, I will 
bring the point forcibly home to them by two examples. Would we expect to see 
the intelligent horse breeder of to-day go back for sires to the many toed type of the 
miocenc period were this possible, or even to existing "wild" species? 
It was my privilege recently to admire a picture illustrating with artistic skill 
a most advanced human type of physical and intellectual beauty, a female form of 
such exceeding loveliness and perfection as to hold the gazer spellbound by its rev- 
elation of divine quality, while the portrayal of intellectual development and purity 
was so forceful and compelling, as to grasp the very .soul and lift it from its earthly 
surroundings to a position of silent and inexpressible admiration and reveretice. 
This picture was entitled "An Heiress of the Ages." Would we expect her to ad- 
vance to greater triumphs of perfection and beauty by an alliance with some of the 
semi-anthropoid types of early human development, or even with well known 
"wild" species of the present day? 
T leave these comparisons to your consideration. Therefore, the only value 
"wild" species are to the plant breeder is for the foundation of new races of hybrids 
— and much will depend upon the judgment of the hybridist as to what line he 
selects for the improvement of each. After many removals from these original 
parents, assmuing that the said lines have lieen wisely chosen, valuable specific 
types of high quality and great vitality and productiveness will appear. These in 
their turn may be blended with suitable types produced from other wild species, with 
the promise of endless progression in size, quality and beauty and the production of 
"tame" species immediately available as rcvitalizers for degenerating strains, as well 
as the progenitors of new, useful and beautiful forms beyond the power of human 
comprehension. 
Presented at the "Plant and Animal Breeders Convention," held at St, Louis on 
29th to 30th December, 1903, by H. H. Groff. 
NOTE — The Photo- Engravings on pages 15, 16 and 17 are from 
Photographs taken at Meadowvale Farm, by Country Life in America, 
and are reproduced bv permission of the publishers, Messrs. Doubleday, 
Page & Co. 
