VISIT FOR LUTHER BURBANK, A. THE GREAT AMERICAN NATURALIST

The original catalog description provided by the Ford Motor Company reads as follows: “Luther Burbank, the foremost plant breeder in the world, was born in Lancaster, Massachusetts, March 7, 1849. He has been engaged in a work so profitable he could easily have amassed a fortune yet he devoted every energy and resource to the betterment of the world.” Close up of Burbank, he puts on his hat - Burbank talking with cameraman. “Mr. Burbank’s fondness for things that grow is finely exemplified in his home surroundings. Trees, shrubs and plant life in great variety abound in his yard and garden.” Residence of Burbank, gardens. “Over 2500 distinct species are in the list of plants upon which Mr. Burbank has worked, divided into two great classes -- those which have added to the wealth of the nation and the dietary of the race and those which have made the world more beautiful.” Burbank sits in chair on front porch -- garden scenes. “Experimental gardens and conservatory. In the foreground you will see a new species of Burbank roses as yet unnamed. Maybe he will name them the General Pershing.” “The Cherokee rose tree. An enormous rose bush almost, as you will see, the size of a young tree.” Burbank stands beside the tree. “A new variety of walnut. This tree is but six years old, having attained its growth in a quarter of the time it takes the common walnut to grow as large.” “A corner in the experimental garden.” “The conversion of the thorny desert cactus into a thorn-less and edible fruit was a problem that confronted Mr. Burbank for ten years. He has won however and today the cactus is utilized as a food, resembling in taste, the cantaloupe.” Burbank inspects thorn-less cactus plants. “To quote Mr. Burbank -- ‘the population of the globe may be doubled and yet, in the immediate food of the cactus plant itself and in the food animals which may be raised upon it, there will still be enough for all.’” “Cactus apples, also good to eat.” Burbank eats cactus apples. “Unimproved desert cactus of a variety Opuntians, in bloom.” “The flax seed garden...” “A great artichoke.” “The Monkey Puzzle pine tree...” “Burbank wheat...” “Think how readily the food problem would be solved by quick growing plants -- imagine wheat and corn maturing in a day. No necessity for wheat-less days then!” Accelerated plant growth demonstration. [1917]