XVIII. 
NOWLEDGE is the keystone of success. 
It concentrates thought and _ establishes 
principles which should rightfully govern. Isg- 
norance makes man a willing servant to the mis- 
use of laws essential to his prosperity. 
As a people we know too little of nature’s 
creative methods. As tillers of the soil we know 
less, and need to stand away from the hurrying 
commercial world for calmer, more intelligent 
consideration before we can make a right esti- 
mate of the value of such methods. Work is 
not well done if not in harmony with nature. 
We often pursue wrong methods and in the con- 
fusion of ways make mistakes, and a burden of 
intended blessings. 
When man came to the habitable parts of the 
world he was the signal that set the creative and 
the destructive forces of nature in opposition. 
Cultivation of the soil gave increased vegeta- 
tion which induced increased insect life and a 
destructive war between animate and inanimate 
life. Birds came to the relief of vegetation and 
man prospered. With prosperity came careless 
disregard of nature’s ways in the helpfulness of 
birds. They were hunted to death for their 
plumage, for the pleasure of the palate, and for 
the amusement of sportsmen and pot hunters. 
O darkened sense! O dense, deaf ear, 
The world has placed its ban 
Against the genii once so dear, 
And strife and greed for many a year 
Have spoiled the sweet, old atmosphere. 
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