i] PRESENT-DAY BOTANY 5 



Which of us has not been assumed to know at 

 once by sight and to be able to name the various 

 Conifers growing in the plantations round some 

 country house, or planted proudly as "solo trees" 

 in prominent spots to challenge the eye? The 

 assumption is complimentary, but it is apt to be 

 embarrassing. The plain fact is that the Coniferae 

 are a family with an irritating sameness of habit 

 for those who have not made them a special study, 

 however distinct their features may appear to those 

 who live with, and know so to speak personally, 

 certain individual specimens. When one is found 

 at fault in the specific distinctions of Abies or 

 Cupressus, there is some risk of attainments in other 

 branches being unduly discounted. Such knowledge 

 is doubtless desirable, as is all knowledge : but to the 

 majority it would be but so much mental ballast, and 

 would take no direct part in the working of the 

 intellectual ship. 



Another subject which leads to misunderstanding 

 is Horticulture. Theoretically every botanist ought 

 to be an expert gardener, and doubtless every one of 

 them would wish to be. It will usually be assumed 

 that he is, but in many cases that assumption is ill 

 founded. The man whose life-work is in the herbarium 

 may have little time or opportunity, or it may be even 

 inclination for horticulture. The laboratory student, 

 even with a good knowledge of the current problems, 



