Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-01-31

tfornia retreat he has been working
working, working for years to bring
about some change in a fruit or a
plant which, though seemingly insig-
|niicant, signifies a great forward step
IN scientific horticulture. For a third
OF q century this remarkable man has
peen busy in natures own sphere, i'm
proving her own productions paint
ing the lily.
Although born in Massachusetts,,
Burbank went to California early in
life, attracted to the coast land by the
more salubrious climate and more
favorable opportunities for pursuing
his studies and experiments. Since set
Ting in California he has worked CON
stantly in his experimental gardens,
until they have become the Mecca for
scientific pilgrims of a horticultural
turn. There are few farmers of the
United States who are not familiar
with the famous Burbank potato,
ihsch as a variety was developed by
Burbank before he went to Cali
fornia. While this achievement was
notable and gained for the young ex.
perimenter wide recognition, 1t was
only. the beginning. In California he
started experimenting with the plum,
anil soon produced a variety now
grown all over the world. This work
reYolutionized the plum trade. Bur-
bark next turned to the prune. The
Ca ifornia ~orchardists were growing a
small German prune, which when
drsed consisted mostly of pit and skin.
He developed the prune until now
there are hundreds of acres of or
ciards in California producing prunes
four times the original size and of de-
lectable flavor.
Among the more picturesque
achievements of Mr.. Burbank was the
elimination of seeds from oranges and
the pits from plums. He has also de-
developed b%lackberries Of great size
ind of many colors. His thornless
raspberry hasn't a pricker on it and
was evolved after seventeen years of
study. He has also made exhaustive
experiments with sugar cane and bam-
BOO, the latter having been acclimated
to California. One of the most won
derful things accomplished by Mr.. Bur-
bank was the development of the
thornless cactus. which, it is predicted
will rob the desert of it's chief terror.
The wild cactus contains a heart that
is suitable for food and it also yields a
grateful moisture. But the plant is
SO covered with dangerous thorns that,
unless one is a plainsman he can OBJ
tain neither food nor drink from it.
The Burbank development, it is said,
Will prove a great blessing as it can
pc ~propagated in the most desolate of
regions and will not only furnish sus-
tenance for man, but is excellent for
age for animals.
Among flowers this wonderful inves-
tigator has changed form and color to
suit his whims and has generally
played havoc with natures own sys-
TEN. His latest creation, however,
and the most marvellous thing he has
yet produced is the everlasting Aus
tralian flower. This is a large pink
flower that does not shed its petals
either on the tree or when cut from it.
Ihe petals always retain their bril-
llant coloring and the colors may be
changed to suit the fancy Of the cult
vator. This flower can be used for
trimming hats, being far more beauti-
ful thar artificial blossoms now en-
ployed by milliners.
Although ne mas done so much in
his chosen field c, investigation. Mr..
Burbank is very modest and retiring.
He rarely sees the idly curious visitors
to his establishment and says he Is too
busy to attend conventions or to pre-
pare technical treatises. No pecuni-
airy reward can tempt him from his be-
loved gardens, where, amid their vari-
gated floral loneliness, he hopes to
end his days.