The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1896-12-12

existed.
It is 4 magical, ideal spot, wher.
nature IS moulded by man; wLe.,
plants live in q strange, unratura
way. Here giant oars are maze te
grow perfect trees, but smaller than
the smallest bush; pears are reared a.
large as watermeions; the gorgeous
lily is trained SO that it is produced il
miniature, so small that it can scarcely
be seen, and the marvellous periec
tiop o: its delicate makeup must be
tound with o microscope.
At this farm art has produced sncll
wonderful change in nature that all
the beauties Ct the world of acricul-
ture and horticulture arc shown side
by side, but SO enhanced, diversified,
corrected and changed that in walking
through the grounds one comes upon
sights that are never seen except in
tho mystical land Of dreams. And
vet all this is produced in most
na.ural way, and is the workin" out
OF the IDEAS Of one man.
This scientific farm has boen started
near Santa Gosa, Cal. and its founder,
Luther ". Burbank, has already
earned the title OF edison OF Pant
Life" The marvel of 1t all is that he
works for pure y scientific cause, and
refuses to receive wealth or court
fame. In fact, he SO persistentiy re-
fuses money for his products that be
come to be looked upon as somewhat
OF 3 crank.
Burbank abandoned growing
nursery business of $1,000 year to
devote his time and energy to scien-
tiic research in the world of agricul.
ture A believer in the laws of eyo-
luton, this wizard Of agriculture pro.
iuces his wonders under the theory
that all the world IS akin, and that the
relation between the species is SO in.
innate that by constant artificial Sc
lection, which Is one of the many steps
in the production of new types, the
lines OF life forces can be changed.
Working out this theory to make 1t
practical, Burbank has broken up the
old habits of plants, and by constant
struggle inculcated new traits.
The wizard has produced results to
startle the scientific hurticulturist and
farmer OF the world. He plants the
seed OF q known specimen of plant
]iEc. Suppose it is that of common
ounce, with which he has made vast
experiments. 1t grows and puts forth
lis fruit. Science is then called upon.
Cross polllnation, hybridization fol-
lows, aud by constant md faithful
work the wizard is rewarded by new
and valuable creation.
There are other creations, the use.
fulness Of wAicAsis not so readily rec.
osn1zed. In one part of the great
garden there lsa perfectly formed lilly
tess than halt IN inch in diameter, and
another snow white flower of the same
variety three feet in circumference
These specimens bloom side by side,
yet neither IS like any otLe> in the
world, and yet they are both of the
variety that are seen in normal SIZE
every day.
Another change wrought by this
pryor into natures mysteries is IN the
prunes, which lie has developed to Il
giant SIZE, six times as large as those
III genera! use, and from which they
were derived. A plum twelve times
Inc SIZE OF the parent species has also
oeen created. and pronounced by good
Judges TO be the haulsomest in exist
ence.
The common Delaware plum tree
mas teen developed into bush three
lees nigh, growing plum which is in
oescrlbably delicious. From this
81, also, has been developed the
supper plum, SO largo that two of
them will fill Mason fruit jar.
But 1t Is in the dover kingdom that
ibis modern wizard has produced the
ne" creations that have most amazed
the world. He has now in blossom
over $4,000 unnamed types of lilies,
specimens such as the world knows
nothing OF, but which are the direct
ou'coMe OF type kaown to the
merest schoolboy. These unnamed
varieties alone represent valne of a
quarter OF million dollars. Yet the
greater number OF them will be de-
'.foye", tor destruction follows where
'ao created type is not considered su.
pcrior to the parent stock.
IN this verltable Garden of Eden
A s IS impossible, for the science
VI 'he mastery gardener hes been
awe 10 make nature produce any sort
=. 'ree or shrub, plant or fruit, almost
al AZ Will. There is great plot con.
"a the Japanese iris, in which are
~ thousands of these queenIy flowers, no
sSo without distinctive points OF dit
'eiehc'. Every color revealed bv the
picturesque, every combination OF
!, round IN the rainbow arch are
nefe mingled in interminable profu.
49, Inc immense garden is conducted so
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