NATIONAL AID 



affairs of the New Earth which have been laid 

 out by the department, would consume more 

 space than may here be given, but we may 

 briefly consider some of the more significant 

 of them in an effort to indicate the powerful 

 influence of the department upon the life of 

 the tiller of the soil. 



Conspicuous among these lines at present, 

 by reason of the great popular interest which 

 has of late been aroused in plant life, is the 

 Bureau of Plant Industry, which aims to give 

 national aid to the farmer, the horticulturist, 

 the market-gardener, to all who are immedi- 

 ately interested in vegetable life. Large num- 

 bers of men are employed in this bureau 

 engaged in searching for new plants in all 

 quarters of the globe, and in determining 

 whether or not these plants are practicable for 

 introduction, and whether, if transplantable, 

 they are desirable. The work has proven so 

 important, it has broadened rapidly, so that it 

 has become quite impossible to keep up the 

 supply of men. These men must be particu- 

 larly fitted for the work. Three qualities are 

 at least essential, a fondness for it, education 

 for it, and adaptation to it. All these must be 



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