191G] EDITORIAL. 7 



as in results. A scale in southern California apparently withstands 

 heavier doses of poisonous gas than the same species elsewhere, a 

 type of cultivation is found adapted in one section and inadvisable 

 in another, peculiar effects of soil on the crop are unmistakable in 

 some places and absent in others — no wonder there are conflicting 

 reports, differences of opinion, and controversy. The accumulation 

 of these facts teaches both caution in too wide application of the 

 fmdings and tolerance of the views and results of others. Both 

 parties ma}'^ be right when the whole truth is known. 



T\Qiether the work deals with practical economic experiments in 

 the culture of plants and the feeding of animals, the study of the 

 principles of breeding them, the activities of the lesser forms of life 

 that inhabit the soil, or the ravages of an insect or a plant disease, 

 the final aim is control — dominion over the soil, the growing things, 

 the elements; and where control and dominance are not feasible, the 

 effort is no less direct to avoid or overcome the obstacles by adaptation 

 or hj finding some means of getting around them. 



Ever3'where the aim is to understand, to dominate and control 

 thrcugli knowledge, to make intelligence take the place of blind 

 force in fighting against the effects of adverse conditions and cir- 

 cumstances. And above all, to replace tradition with reliable infor- 

 mation, and to establish in these early and prosperous days a basis of 

 knowledge and intelligence which will prevent the coming of those 

 hard conditions which result from worn-out soil and abusive practice. 

 43795°— No. 1—16 2 



