PREFACE TO SECOND EDITION 



In the preparation of this edition several portions of the text 

 have been rewritten, the aims being to correct errors, and to 

 make the matter clearer, more applicable to other lines of work 

 of the student and less similar to other texts. Many of the illus- 

 trations have been replaced by either new or improved ones, the 

 aim being to either improve the illustrations or substitute for 

 borrowed ones. 



The most extensive changes have been made in the treatment 

 of heredity and evolution, a chapter on variation having been 

 added and some changes having been made in the presentation of 

 heredity and evolution. In general, the subject matter, arrange- 

 ment, and presentation remains practically the same as in the 

 first edition, and copies of both editions may be used in the same 

 course without any inconvenience. 



The title of the book has been changed due to the suggestions 

 of a number of persons who have used the book or wish to use it. 

 The title "Botany for Agricultural Students" implies a special 

 kind of Botany, rather than the general principles of botany so 

 presented as to apply to practical affairs. In non-technical 

 schools, the suggestion of the technical implied in the title 

 "Botany for Agricultural Students" must be explained, otherwise 

 the students are likely to feel that they are being taught a kind 

 of Botany intended only for agricultural students. The new 

 title "Botany, with Agricultural Applications" has been chosen 

 with the idea of getting a title expressing more appropriately the 

 nature of the book. The title "Botany for Agricultural Students" 

 was chosen by the author because the botany contained in the 

 book is what he thinks agricultural students should have. In his 

 opinion the chief object in the botanical instruction of agricultu- 

 ral students is to teach the fundamental facts of botany, but 

 these can be taught better if related to practical affairs and hence 

 the reason for choosing illustrations and presenting the subject 

 matter so as to relate to practical problems. Whatever the aims 

 of the students may be the fundamental principles of botany are 



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