Introductory. 11 



sense of the term. A full knowledge of the culture of 

 any plant implies a knowledge, not only of the plant and 

 its needs, but of each separate factor in its environ- 

 ment, and how to maintain this factor in the condition 

 that best favors the plant's development toward some 

 special end, as the production of the finest and highest 

 type of fruit, flowers or seed. We should know, not 

 only the soil that best suits the plant, but the amount of 

 light, moisture, warmth and food in which it prospers 

 best. We should know the enemies that prey upon it, 

 the manner in which they work their harm, and how to 

 prevent their ravages. We should know, in short, how 

 to regulate every factor of environment so as to pro- 

 mote the plant's well-being to the utmost, as well as how 

 to develop every desirable quality the p'ant possesses. 



5. Domestic or Domesticated Plants or Animals 

 are those that are in the state of culture. In nature, 

 different plants and animals struggle with one another 

 for space and food. Only those best adapted to their 

 environment survive, and these are often much re- 

 stricted in their development. In culture, the intelli- 

 gence and energy of man produce a more favorable 

 environment for the species he desires to rear; hence 

 domestic plants and animals attain higher development 

 in certain directions than their wild parents. The cul- 

 tivated potato, for example, grows larger, is more pro- 

 ductive and is higher in food value than the wild po- 

 tato. The finer breeds of horses and cattle are superior 

 to their wild progenitors in usefulness to man. 



6. Culture Aims to Improve Nature's Methods 

 rather than to imitate them. By cutting out the super- 



