218 THE SURVIVAL OF THE UNLIKE. [iX. 



he is more in touch with the world. Downing rejoiced 

 in 1852 that there were "at least a dozen societies in 

 different parts of the Union devoted to the improvement 

 of gardening, and to the dissemination of information 

 on the subject." Since that time a dozen national 

 horticultural societies of various kinds have coiue into 

 prosperous existence, and there are ovei- fifty societies 

 representing states, provinces, or important geographi- 

 cal districts, while the number of minor societies runs 

 into the hundreds. Over fifty states, territories, and 

 provinces have established agricultural schools and 

 experiment stations, all supported by popular senti- 

 ment. The derision of "book farming" is well nigh 

 forgotten. Subjects which a few years ago were 

 thought to be "theoretical" and irrelevant are now 

 matters of common eanversation. In short, a new type 

 of man is coming onto the farms. This uplift in tin' 

 common understanding of the science of cultivation, and 

 of the methods of crossing and of skillful selection, is 

 exerting a powerful accelerating influence upon the 

 variation of cultivated plants. But the most impor- 

 tant and abiding evolution is that of the man himself ; 

 and I expect that the rising intellectual status will 

 ultimately lead people to the farm rather than away 

 from it. We are just now living in a time of con- 

 spicuous artificialism ; but the farm must be tilled, 

 and it must be inviting. When agriculture cannot 

 pay, something is wrong with the times. 



These, then, are the chief lines of progress in hor- 

 ticulture, and they are all still operative and capable 

 of indefinite growth. The achievement of a generation 

 has been phenomenal. The prospect is inspiring to 

 both the cultivator and the student. 



