New-York tribune., 1906-08-12
FOSTERING BURBANK.
Hoo the Nature Student Has to
Protect Himself against ViatOrs.

Santa Rosa Cal, July 16-Luther Burbank.
the eminent creator Of new fruits and flowers
whose home is in this city, is not only one of
the most discussed men in the world to-day
but he is also one of the most sought after
Year by year the number of visitors at the pretty
vine covered cottage on Santa Rosa avenue. sit
uated in the centre Of his private experimental
grounds, has increased TO such an extent that
in the year 1905 more than six thousand persons
came to him.
OF the multitude that come from all parts Of
the known world to see Mr.. Burbank, multiply
the different nationalities they represent by
about hundred. and one will arrive at the
different reasons for which they come. Remov-
ing from the list the distinguished men of sci
ence who annually visit the Burbank shrine for
the purpose of scrutinizing the marvels of his
work with nature. and those really interested in
the giving 70 the world of the best that there
is in plant and fruit for the enjoyment of man
kind'-fOr this. in short, is Burbank's great aim
in hfe-there are hundreds of persons who are
mere curiosity seekers, those who think the
worlds greatest horticultural scientist has all
the time and the necessary patience to answer
as many foolish questions as they choose to ask
In this crowd are all sorts and conditions of
mankind. and if record could be kept of their
requests it would furnish humOr enough 10 I'LL
one of the largest volumes published in many
decades Some one once suggested 10 Mr. Bur
bank that he have a phOnogTaph in convenient
position to catch some of the absurd questions
asked. If the callers would confine their queries
to matters appertaining to Mr.. Burbank's work
it would not be so bad But here is one who
asks-the scientist if he really likes being great
as the world counts him. Another man calls
to know if he will permit him TO name a partic-
ular brand of cigar the Luther Burbank" An
other one comes along and wants Burbank to
allow the of his name some particular
brand Of soap. or perchance some article of food
or some piece of mechanism. Such requests as
these are not granted
Then, amid the great army of Burbank visitors
are the beggars. They poster the scientist with
requests for just one seed of this. or a sprig or
twig of something else. nearly always some
thing of his most costly and inaccessible crea-
tions. Next in number are those who call or
write to Burbank for employment In the latter
part of last year this became such a nuisance
that a specially prepared circular letter was got
up by Mr.. Burbanks private secretary inform
ing the writer that there was no work to be
had. Some of the most amusing of the callers
are those who imagine that he has money TO
burn They come to ask him, one might almost
say TO ''grubstake" them in all imaginable vo-
cations of life.
one pretty girl came many miles to see if
Burbank would not give her the money with
which TO train the voice which she assured
him she possessed. Others desire him TO put
them in the way of learning a profession
Others want him 10 loan them the wherewithal
for all kinds Of schemes And so on.
A lettered reminder that the grounds are
private" is of little avail. The warning is un-
needed Additional signs have been put up
calling attention TO the fact that admittance to
the grounds can be on business only Even
this only in a measure serves to bring about
the desired effect Things reached such turn
that Mr.. Burbank was hardly sure OF any
privacy Then came the climax. and dis
tasteful one it was. too. Bigger signboards and
larger lettering were placed at each of the en-
frances and the sidewalks leading to the house
The boards bore the warning. "Trespassers