Chapter 38 

 APPLIED BIOLOGY 



After reading as far as this chapter, the reader undoubtedly will see 

 for himself many of the numerous applications of biology in the various 

 fields of endeavor. To cover this important topic properly would require 

 much more space than can be devoted in one short chapter. It must 

 suffice to point out only a few of the ways in which an application of 

 biology has been made in the world about us. The majority of the appli- 

 cations will be left to the reader who with some reflection and investiga- 

 tion can easily add to the list. For more detailed discussions of certain 

 phases of applications, the reader is directed to additional references, as 

 well as such chapters as The Economic Importance of Animals and The 

 Economic Importance of Plants. 



I. BIOLOGY AND ITS RELATION TO AGRICULTURE 

 AND HYDROPONICS 



For many years man has utilized the animals and plants he has found 

 in Nature, and in some instances he has improved and domesticated them 

 so that they might better serve his needs. His earlier attempts in this 

 connection were necessarily somewhat crude and unscientific. With the 

 advent of scientific biology, he has made more successful progress, so 

 that today the securing of most of our foods, fuels, clothing, shelter, 

 furniture, and raw materials for many industries are in some way or an- 

 other directly or indirectly influenced and made possible by what we 

 have found through a study of biology. 



Agriculture rests upon the knowledge of the structure, functions, in- 

 heritance, and development of domesticated plants and animals and of 

 the great variety of environmental factors by which they are beneficially 

 or detrimentally affected. Biology in no small measure has contributed 

 to each of these phases and consequently has helped to make agricul- 

 ture what it is today. 



Biology, together with other sciences, has given practical and basic 

 methods in many other fields. The improvement of the qualities of 



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