was reported that had 4800 varieties shrubs
and trees under cultivation. In
a very short time his assistants had gathered over 3000
examples wild plants and tested them for rubber content. also had small army of
amateurs and professionals the field collecting samples.
Building was converted receive the incoming flow plants
and shrubs gathered from all parts North America. enthusiastically turned his property Fort Myers
into large experimental farm, and proudly showed off his
results. Finally, the project could carried out in
the balmy weather Florida. Edison began the search for new
source rubber with his usual gusto, gathering library of
books rubber Fort Myers and planting many different
species the gardens around his home.
Meanwhile the flow specimens collected well-wishers
increased the West Orange laboratory was innundated with
plants.®
Much the testing work was done the laboratory.)
. (Hundreds
of the specimens are still stored with the Edison archives.
Edison cultivated rubber plants the gardens around his
house and also found time develop Fort Myers garden
community, planting trees and shrubs the land around his
property.XIV- 4
empirical approach and combined the adventure the hunt
for bamboo filaments with opportunity develop his
botanical skills. built new chemical
laboratory across the street from his home and soon filled it
C
with supplies and equipment
