species and again goes ahead, until his object is attained.

It may be asked how two plants are united to procure a third. The act
is based on the procreative law of nature. Plant-breeding is simply
accomplished by sifting the pollen of one plant upon the stigma of
another, this act--pollenation--resulting in fertilization, Nature in
her own mysterious ways bringing forth the new plant.

In order to get an idea of the Burbank method, let us consider some
of his most famous experiments, for instance, that in which by uniting
the potato with the tomato he has produced a new variety which has
been very aptly named the pomato. Mr. Burbank, from the beginning of
his wonderful career, has experimented much with the potato. It was
this vegetable which first brought the plant wizard into worldwide
prominence. The Burbank potato is known in all lands where the tuber
forms an article of food. It has been introduced into Ireland and
promises to be the salvation of that distressed island of which the
potato constitutes the staple diet. The Burbank potato is the hardiest
of all varieties and in this respect is well suited for the colder
climates of the Temperate Zone. Apart from this potato which bears his
name, Mr. Burbank has produced many other varieties. He has blended
wild varieties with tame ones, getting very satisfactory results. Mr.
Burbank believes that a little wild blood, so to speak, is often
necessary to give tone and vigor to the tame element which has been
long running in the same channels. Probably it was Emerson, his favorite
author, who gave him the cue for this idea. Emerson pointed out that
the city is recruited from the country. "The city would have died out,
rotted and exploded long ago," wrote the New England sage, "but that
it was reinforced from the fields. It is only country that came to
town day before yesterday, that is city and court to-day."