WITH LUTHER BURBANK

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 6383, 4 December 1907, Page 3

WITH LUTHER BURBANK

"800 DOL. PER HOUR."

(Melbourne "Leader" Representative.)

The best known name associated with Californian horticulture is Luther Burbank. It is a name round which there has been much controversy. If w© believe ono side, tho man Is a charlatan. If wo indiove other, and equally emphatic authorities, Burbank is the greatest living plant hybridist. The writer, naturally, was determined not to leave California without forming a personal opinion in regard to this much discussed man and his work. Therefore, from Sin Francisco a letter was addressed to Mr Burbank at his homo in Santa Kosa,

requesting the favour of an interview. Incidentally personal letters of introduction were curried from Professor L. 11. Bdley, of Cornell University, and Air Geo. C. Hooding, of Fresno. The following reply was received: "Dear Sir,—ln reply to your letter, wo beg to say that Mr Burbank never knows what day ho will b© at home, and ho does not make appointments now, as his time is so fully occupied with his very important work. He seldom sees anyone, and if - ho does it is not more than for five minutes. You can hav© the privilege of seeing the Santa Kosa grounds, and if Air Burbank should have a minute to spare, you might posaiDly soo him, but wo fear it is not at all likely, us .ho is (-.imply rushed to death. Regretting that a more favourable an-, swor cannot bo given you, we arc, vours very truly, . LUTHER BURBANK, "By P. 0., Secretary."

Enclosed with the above letter was a printed circular, which informed tho recipient that "Luther Burbank is ono of the busiest men in th© world." That "he has nothing for sale." That "the public has no moral, legal or other right to invnde his grounds, his home, his private office, or his laboratories," etc., etc.

In response to, this not over cordial invitation the writer hoarded a train at Oakland, on tho Southern Pacific line, and entered Santa Eosa, a town of some 10,000 inhabitants, 52 miles north-west of San Francisco, and about 20 miles from tlie coast. The Santa Eosa Valiev forms tile central section of Sonoma (,'cmnty. The climate, with its dry heat, is like that experienced in the Northeastern district of Victoria, and tho town of Santa Eosa, with its treefringed streets, is not unlike Wangarattn. At the time of our visit building was in progress all over the town. This work is part of the rebuilding forced upon local property owners by the earthquake that destroyed Snn Francisco. Outside of tho latter city Santa Eosa, suffered to a greater extent than any other centre. A few minutes’ walk from the centre of the town brought ns to a newly erected two-story house, plain in design, and standing on a large plot of land devoid of growth of any kind. Tills is where Luther Burbank lives. The surroundings were certainly disappointing, but no doubt this new residence will soon be surrounded by beautiful trees and shrubs appropriate to the home of such a celebrated horticulturist. Hero wo met Miss Olsen, secretary to Mr Burbank. who explained that I might be lucky enough to secure five minutes’ talk with the plant hybridist. While wo were talking Mr Burbank entered the room. His clean shaven faco is kindly, careworn, and suggesting a highly nervous type of man. His hair is grev, but it appears to ho premature grcyiiese. I explained my business, and the sccrotarv having left the room. Mr Burbank commenced tho conversation

by stating that "visitors from Germany, Janan, New Zealand end all over the United btatie had called od him that dav," but the only people I saw were four or five ladies and gentlemen who had motored from San and I was forced to the conclusion that Mr Burbank takes rather a pleasure in pouting out th.it he “is rushed to death. " Personally, I saw no evidence 4 d' an rxea-s or visitors, and the brief five minute* that the energetic secretary assured rno would b f the extreme limit of my interview was easily i xtend d infca a fairly long conversation. Mr Burbank spoke readily in answer lo many questions put to him. Naturally, plant bneding was the loading subject. The climate of Australia, and its known adaptability to the breeding ol plants, was mentioned by the writer, and incidentally the work done bv Mr Thomas Po-kett. curator of the Malvern public, gardens, mar Melbourne, was referred to. Mr Burbank said he knew of Mr Pockett’fi success, and added, "Mr Beckett’s Australian Chrysanthemums are tho host tvpes; grown in America 10-day." Mr Burbank lias also noted that very fine forms of tree carnation:, aiv being raised by Au'rtraliau growers.

dho Carnegie Institute U supplying funds to assist Mr Burbank in his work, and to-day there are collectors scatter ed “from China to Peru," sending in K'.eds for raising in the Santa Kosa experimental grounds. The Unit'd States Denartmcufc of Agriculture docs not recognise Mr Burbank "for the reason that others might lie jealous of tho distinction." 1 was' f-liowu ”uinetoius photographs, pencil and water colour drawing* of fruit and plants, repiesciiting Mr Burbank’s system of recording tho changes of form through the various stages -of breeding development. These records were lifted out of loose drawers, and appeared to be mixed up without much care as regards order, while many of Hie drawings relating to ono type would be on pieces of paper of varying sh pes and sizes. This feature is noted for the reason that ;fc struck the writer as surprising that such important records should bo compiled in what appeared to bo a slipshod m nner. Wo are forced to make, this comment, though it may seem ungracious after the very kind and courteous attention, thown to the writer by Mr Burbank, lie is so much in the public eye thnt a trait suggested by an inci(l nt of the character just noted may servo to furnish some idea of this nervous and much worried man.

That Mr Burbank envoys tho experience of being an object of public intercut is obvious, and in the circumstances his habit of continually reverting to the subject is as peculiarly characteristic as it is simple and inoffensive. "My time ie worth SOO dol. per hour," ho remarked,-as I was shown to the door. “Sorry I must 4 you; there are some people waiting to see me. I like to talk, and would gladly give you more of my time if it were possible." Having consumed about 200 dollars’ worth of “The Plant Wizard’s" time, I ebook hands with Mr Burbank, and crossed to the experimental grounds, which are situated on the other side of the road from the house. Here I was shown round by ono of the several young men who are working under Mr Burbank's direction.