LUTHER BURBANK—A SAINT AMIDST THE ROSES
“The secret of improved plant breeding, apart
from scientific knowledge, is love.” Luther
Burbank uttered this wisdom as I walked beside him
in his Santa Rosa garden. We halted near a bed
of edible cacti.
“While I was conducting experiments to make
‘spineless’ cacti,” he continued,
“I often talked to the plants to create a vibration
of love. ‘You have nothing to fear,’
I would tell them. ’You don’t need
your defensive thorns. I will protect you.’
Gradually the useful plant of the desert emerged in
a thornless variety.”
I was charmed at this miracle. “Please,
dear Luther, give me a few cacti leaves to plant in
my garden at Mount Washington.”
A workman standing near-by started to strip off some
leaves; Burbank prevented him.
“I myself will pluck them for the swami.”
He handed me three leaves, which later I planted,
rejoicing as they grew to huge estate.
The great horticulturist told me that his first notable
triumph was the large potato, now known by his name.
With the indefatigability of genius, he went on to
present the world with hundreds of crossed improvements
on nature-his new Burbank varieties of tomato, corn,
squash, cherries, plums, nectarines, berries, poppies,
lilies, roses.
I focused my camera as Luther led me before the famous
walnut tree by which he had proved that natural evolution
can be telescopically hastened.
“In only sixteen years,” he said, “this
walnut tree reached a state of abundant nut production
to which an unaided nature would have brought the
tree in twice that time.”
[Illustration: Luther Burbank, beloved friend,
poses with me in his Santa Rosa garden.—see
burbank.jpg]
[Illustration: Luther Burbank—see
burbank2.jpg]
Burbank’s little adopted daughter came romping
with her dog into the garden.
“She is my human plant.” Luther waved
to her affectionately. “I see humanity
now as one vast plant, needing for its highest fulfillments
only love, the natural blessings of the great outdoors,
and intelligent crossing and selection. In the
span of my own lifetime I have observed such wondrous
progress in plant evolution that I look forward optimistically
to a healthy, happy world as soon as its children
are taught the principles of simple and rational living.
We must return to nature and nature’s God.”
“Luther, you would delight in my Ranchi school,
with its outdoor classes, and atmosphere of joy and
simplicity.”
My words touched the chord closest to Burbank’s
heart-child education. He plied me with questions,
interest gleaming from his deep, serene eyes.
“Swamiji,” he said finally, “schools
like yours are the only hope of a future millennium.
I am in revolt against the educational systems of
our time, severed from nature and stifling of all individuality.
I am with you heart and soul in your practical ideals
of education.”
