Luther Burbank Volume 8; His Methods and Discoveries and Their Practical Application (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1914 Excerpt: ...plants having large economic importance in that the only part of it that has value is the flower. The bitter principle, called lupulin, developed in the flower, has great value from the standpoint of the brewer; and hopgrowing is an important industry wherever beer is manufactured extensively. It is suggested that selective breeding might improve the quality or enhance the quantity of the essential lupulin borne by the hop flower. Attention was paid not merely to the brush itself, but also to the stalks of the plant. There is obvious advantage in growing a large, long brush on a dwarfed stalk, that as little plant energy as possible may be used for the production of the stalk, the chief supply being reserved for the more important brush. It was found very difficult, but not impossible, to improve the plant along both lines simultaneously, as it seemed to be working in opposite directions. I was also able to develop a brush that had improved qualities of firmness and durability, combined with pliable texture. The syrup-producing sorghums are chiefly of two very closely related types, which are usually spoken of as Amber and Orange sugar-canes. Individual plants vary a good deal as to their sugar content and other characteristics. My experiments with the syrup-producers have shown that there is a great diversity in the individual plants as to the amount of saccharine substances in their tissues; and that it is possible by careful and systematic selection through successive generations to increase the sugar content, as has been done with the sugar-beet, and is being done with the sugar-cane. My work, however, has not extended beyond the experimental stages. I satisfied myself as to the feasibility of the project; it should be carried to completion by some one ...