THE DECADENCE OF FARMING. 27 



senses, the surprising transformations of which had not been shown 

 us by their evolution, could not possibly have informed us of 

 the true significance of those beings. 



I know very well that the quality of an experimental science 

 which I claim for zoology is not accorded to us by all students. 

 Those who withhold this recognition are specialists who judge of 

 our science by what they learned of it when they were pursuing 

 their general studies, and when it consisted chiefly of learning 

 names and registering characteristics. They still think it a sci- 

 ence of words and memorizing. But we are happily able to re- 

 flect that while they have followed and pushed on the science in 

 which they have become masters, they have concerned themselves 

 but little with the advance of the other branches which they have 

 not cultivated ; and their present judgment is based on the con- 

 dition of the science a half-century ago. I think it can be estab- 

 lished without contradiction that there is not a zoologist of the 

 present day, unless he be over-rash or ambitious to enjoy the dis- 

 covery of a new species, who will venture to affirm that he is ac- 

 quainted with any being before he has followed its evolution. To 

 follow the evolution, experiments must be instituted, and that con- 

 stitutes experimental zoology. Because our science is now in a 

 critical condition, it is most positively affirmed by the partisans of 

 the transformist theories that it should modify its methods of in- 

 vestigation, and besides registering species should submit unre- 

 servedly to experimental control. Such is the conclusion which 

 we logically reach, and which imposes itself upon us to-day. 

 Translated and abridged for the Popular Science Monthly from 

 the Revue Scientifique. 



* 



THE DECADENCE OF FARMING. 



By JOEL BENTON. 



SOME years ago the editor of a prominent journal sent me a 

 slip containing a column and a half of advertisements of 

 farms for sale, cut from a Boston daily paper. The farms offered 

 were located in New England, where the supposed benign effect 

 of the national Government's attempt to " diversify industry," so 

 that farming need not be overdone, has had its supreme chance. 

 These farms were not poor or worn out. They were in the midst 

 of our best social culture, as developed by our most intelligent 

 rural communities. Upon them were improvements and, in the 

 main, good buildings. Railroads ran over or near every one of 

 them ; large factories and populous towns were near, to buy their 

 products ; schools and churches were visible, almost from their 

 door-steps and gateways ; beauty was in the landscape, and health 



