vi PREFACE 



pleted in a half year. At the same time, illustrations are 

 taken from economic plants, and practical applications in the 

 handling of plants are suggested. In other words, this part 

 is intended to develop some real knowledge of plants in con- 

 nection with a practical outlook. In telling the story of 

 plants, advantage is taken of the evolutionary point of view 

 merely as a teaching device. This method of presentation 

 has been very efficient in securing a grasp of the most impor- 

 tant facts and in developing a perspective that lays emphasis 

 where emphasis belongs. 



Part II, Plants in cultivation, gives an account of the prac- 

 tical handling of plants in the field and in the garden, so far 

 as this can be accomplished in a half year of work. It is 

 the application to practice of the knowledge developed in 

 connection with the work outlined in Part I. The great 

 variety of crops and of cultural conditions forbids a series of 

 specific directions in reference to even the principal crops. 

 Even if this were possible, it would result in a series of direc- 

 tions resembling the recipes of a cookbook, some of them 

 applicable in one locality and some in another, which is very 

 far removed from the idea of a text-book. The plan is to 

 develop some experience in handling the conditions that 

 affect plants, so that any plant may be cultivated, in its 

 appropriate conditions, with some knowledge of the things 

 that must be done. 



In case only a half year is given to Botany, Part I is rec- 

 ommended for use. It is complete in itself and represents 

 the real basis for further progress. It will be possible to use 

 Part II alone for a half year course, but the reasons for the 

 practice involved will not be so evident as when it follows 

 Part I. The two parts taken together represent a full year 

 of work, which should combine the demand for training in 

 science with that of training in the culture of plants. 



Neither of the parts will serve its purpose unless it is used 

 as a supplement to the teacher, to the laboratory, to the 



