XXVII. 



SOMETHING NEW. 



" We study and investigate, not in the vain hope of acquiring 

 knowledge, but to prevent the ignorance of others being thrust 

 upon us." 



IT may be interesting, after discussing old and 

 exploded beliefs, to come to a subject which in 

 name at least is new. No people equal the Ameri- 

 cans in their eagerness to adopt new ideas, and as 

 a result progress is nowhere more rapid in every 

 department of effort than in this country. Inci- 

 dentally, this desire for improvement leads to fre- 

 quent disappointment and loss. It cannot be use- 

 less, therefore, to call attention, even briefly, to a 

 few of the errors one is likely to make in the 

 purchase of new seeds and plants. Ignorance is 

 chiefly disastrous when united to self-confidence, 

 and we know that to be forewarned is to be fore- 

 armed. Nothing is more commendable than the 

 widespread desire among our farmers, gardeners 

 and fruit growers to test new methods and varieties, 

 and it is therefore highly important to prevent as 

 far as possible unnecessary disappointments in 

 these trials. Large sums are lost annually in the 

 purchase of novelties in agriculture and horticul- 



