364 SEARS 



low rations, and we continue to produce surplus food and fiber at the cost of 

 depleted soils. Small wonder that the professional economist wants no more 

 trouble than he has. 



One thing, however, seems clear. Unless we accept without reservation the 

 ideal of an economy that expands continuously and without limit, some 

 degree of conservation is necessary. Given this premise, the aims of applied 

 science must shift accordingly. Instead of being directed mainly toward 

 speeding up the conversion of raw materials, they must take into account 

 problems of perspective and equilibrium. Such problems are not unfamiliar to 

 the biologist, plant and animal, and are peculiarly ecological. 



In a program of this kind it is up to the sciences, physical and biological, 

 to furnish a sound background of facts and principles to be used in the 

 formulation and execution of policy (Sears, 1955). Policy is made by political 

 and social processes. Social science has now developed to the point where it 

 can be of tremendous value in this connection, but empiricism, art, and 

 philosophy shape the decisions, and authority executes them. In our society 

 authority is assumed to rest upon consensus. For this reason the duty of the 

 scientist does not end when he has obtained the facts and derived principles. 

 He must see that they are translated and widely known. 



Such, then, are the broad general conditions under which the specific science, 

 botany, seems to me to relate to conservation. If now we follow Sarton and 

 others in agreeing that the roots of science are very ancient, what does the 

 record show? 



It certainly shows that as a primitive hunter and gatherer, the human 

 being tested the qualities of the plant kingdom with remarkable thoroughness. 

 This is reflected in the familiar statement that no important food, fiber, or 

 drug plant was unknown to man before the beginnings of recorded history, to 

 say nothing of modern science. One need search no further than the lists 

 of useful plants of the Plains Indians compiled by Gilmore, or Castetter's 

 studies in the Southwest, to be impressed, while adventuring with traditional 

 cuisine in Mexico is an experience for both mind and palate. 



Although the gatherers did lay a foundation for the ultimate domestication 

 of plants, it is known that cultures vary widely in their skill at observing 

 and working with plant life. Some have a surprisingly complete system of 

 plant nomenclature, along with a knowledge of field characters and habitats. 

 Others have no more discrimination than implied by our terms "tree," "bush," 

 "weed," or "grass." Correspondingly, there is a wide range of difference in 

 the attention and care given new plant material brought in philanthropically 

 to strengthen the economic base. Some cultures will eat it out of hand, others 

 plant it casually and consume the resuks without much thought of succeeding 

 years. Still others will accord it the grave respect and efficient handling it 

 should have. 



The pile of tiny corncobs in Bat Cave, above the San Augustin Plains in 



