Arizona republican., 1906-10-01

fore a chestnut tree, raised from seed. would begin to bear. The results of breeding, brought trees that bear at the ago of year and a half; and in few cases, nuts have been found on some. trees not over seven months old. Thus. the commercial possibilities are sug- gested.
 Many scientists have been seeking to find a way to re-forest the denuded areas of the world. It seems that a key to the solution has been discovered. 4 visitor remarked. MT. Burbank's work in tree breeding is of command ing importance. In itself. it is quite sufficient to have made the reputation of any plant breeder in the world" Indeed, among his many creations of plant life, any one is sufficient to make the man famous. Notwithstanding the great success he has attained in his work, Mir Burbank cares nothing for fame or a high-sOunding name He goes steadily on in his simple manner. working. not for himself but rather for the world. along broad lines.
 It would be a pleasure for one to write of the numerous plants-fiowers. fruits, grass, etc.-which MT Burbank has created by changing and improving their process of growth and fruitage: but it is only necessary to call atten- tion to a few of his achievements, with the hope of creating a greater interest in this man and his work for the hu- man race.
 Another case of his remarkable skill is shown in the change which he has wrought in the life of the old pie-plant This was formerly a six-months vari- 0L ar r to bring this plant to- the market att least two or three days earlier He succeeded in getting a plant that bears the year round, and to which he gave a rich fruit flavor The new variety is known as Burbank's Crimson Winter rhubarb. and is marketed in winter and early spring.
 The poppy was increased in size from that of a few inches in diameter to a diameter of eight to ten inches, it's beauty greatly enhanced. and it's odor made delightful. This hybrid poppy was also made to grow and blossom the year round. It is not size so much as quality that Mir. Burbank desires However. he has a way of increasing the beauty and fragrance or the flower along with its size.
 The pOmatO-a new fruit-and the
  greater values than their ancestors. The Burbank potato. which is being cultivated in Ireland. has done much to save that people from famine.
 An order for 10000 young prunes was brought to MT. Burbank by a ranch man. No nurseryman would take the order. as it called for the trees to be ready to plant in nine months. Or dinarily, it takes from two and half to three years for a nursery to grow the prunes ready for transplanting. Mr. Burbank took the order and began the task of filling it. He immediately l sent out for workmen to plant and grow almonds Twenty thousand all | monds were planted, and when these were ready. the prune buds were also 1 ready for grating. The prunes were promptly grafted upon the stocks of l the almonds, and 2O,OO little prune trees started forward in their rapid growth | The ranchman's order was filled in nine months. to the joy of the nursery man and to MT. Burbank's great satis- l faction. It is said the prune ranch !. planted from those trees is one of the | best in all California
 The seedless plum, the improved peach. the new blackberry. the apricot. ! the plum-cOt. thousands of 1owersl and ] other plant life too numerous to men | tion, are witnesses to what has been done by this wizard of plant life" i
 The world was startled by the phil osophy of Spencer. of Darwin. Of Wal lace and of other men of equal rank. but never before have scientists come face to face with a practical demon stration of the theories of these men.
 "The Origin of the Species" has now been. to some extent, made clearer in Mir. Burbank's creations. David Starr Jordan. the president of the Leland Stanford, junior, university. says of MT. Burbank: He Is doubtless the most skilful eXperimenter in the field of for nation of new forms of plant life by the process of crossing and selection. He is the creator of many of our most useful plant forms. His methods are -he practical application of the theories If Darwin and his followers. and to a degree exceptional among plant-breed- ars."
 So much has been written about the 'pineless cactus which Mir Burbank has
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