Luther Burbank

Luther Burbank with spineless cactus

Luther Burbank (March 7, 1849 – April 11, 1926) was an American botanist, horticulturist and pioneer in agricultural science.

Worldview

In a lecture to the American Pomological Society, Burbank spoke of his unorthodox methods in plant breeding, which were observational, empirical, and intuitive, rather than reliant on traditional scientific method.

In pursuing the study of any of the universal and everlasting laws of nature, whether relating to the life, growth, structure and movements of a giant planet, the tiniest plant or of the psychological movements of the human brain, some conditions are necessary before we can become one of nature's interpreters or the creator of any valuable work for the world. Preconceived notions, dogmas and all personal prejudice and bias must be laid aside. Listen patiently, quietly and reverently to the lessons, one by one, which Mother Nature has to teach, shedding light on that which was before a mystery, so that all who will, may see and know. She conveys her truths only to those who are passive and receptive. Accepting these truths as suggested, wherever they may lead, then we have the whole universe in harmony with us. At last man has found a solid foundation for science, having discovered that he is part of a universe which is eternally unstable in form, eternally immutable in substance.

Writings

Burbank field notes

Books

• Luther Burbank: His Methods and Discoveries and Their Practical Application. 12 volumes. N.Y. and London: Luther Burbank Press, 1914. "Prepared from his original field notes covering more than 100, 000 experiments made during forty years devoted to plant improvement, with the assistance of the Luther Burbank Society and its entire membership, under the editorial direction of John Whitson and Robert John and Henry Smith Williams." Available at University of Wisconsin Library.
• New Creations in Fruits and Flowers. 1893.
• 'The Training of the Human Plant. New York: The Century Co., 1907. Burbank advocated improved treatment of children and eugenic practices such as keeping the unfit and first cousins from marrying." Available at Library of Congress.
• How Plants are Trained to Work for Man. New York: P.F. Collier & Son Company, 1921. 8 volumes. Covers plant breeding, grafting, and related subjects.
• The Harvest of the Years. Boston, New York: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1927. AUtobiography written with Wilbur Hall.

Additional resources

Articles

• Luther Bank in Wikipedia.
• Luther Burbank: Theosophical Horticulturist by John Algeo.
• Luther Burbank Biography in Western Sonoma County Historical Society website.
• Luther Burbank in National Inventors Hall of Fame.
• Luther Burbank in Luther Burbank Home and Gardens.
• Home & Garden of Plant Wizard Luther Burbank on History Hunters YouTube channel. Posted September 6, 2020.

Video

• How Luther Burbank Created Hundreds of New Plants by The Henry Ford's Innovation Nation. Posted April 2, 2021.
• Paramahansa Yogananda and Luther Burbank in Santa Rosa California by Ananda Sacramento. Posted July 3, 2021. An account of the friendship of these two famous figures.
• Seed Potatoes and Luther Burbank's Russet Burbank potato variety on The Potato Museum Show YouTube channel. Posted March 14, 2024.

Websites

• Luther Burbank Home and Gardens website.