INTRODUCTION 3 



bage seed, but, when planted in the same row, one develops 

 into a cauliflower and the other into a cabbage. They 

 never make a mistake and grow into the wrong plant. 

 Evidently the seed, or embryo, had its future character- 

 istics quite definitely fixed before it left the seed-pod. 

 Two varieties of corn may be planted in the same field 

 and given identical care, and yet one yield twice as much 

 as the other. A Hereford and a Jersey calf may be raised 

 in the same pasture, but one will develop into a heavy 

 beef animal and one into a dairy animal. Two Jersey 

 cows may be raised in the same herd and fed exactly alike, 

 yet one may give twice as much milk as the other. 



5. Environment. Two farmers may plant corn from 

 the same bag, but one gets twice as large a crop as the 

 other. Perhaps they planted at different times, stirred the 

 soil differently, or fertilized differently. A farmer may 

 have two cows that are giving the same amount of milk, 

 but when one is sold to a neighbor she may produce twice 

 as much as formerly, because of a better environment. 



Nearly all farm operations that have to do with plant 

 or animal production are performed for the purpose of 

 modifying either the heredity or the environment. 



QUESTIONS 



1. Which of the four great industries, Agriculture, Mining, Manu- 

 facturing, or Transportation is most important in your county? In 

 your state? 



2. Give some facts showing the relative importance of agriculture 

 and other industries in the United States. (See Appendix, Tables 12 

 and 13.) 



3. Which of the divisions of agriculture is most important in 

 your county? In your state? For the United States? (See Appendix, 

 Table 11.) 



