PRINCIPLES OF PLANT CULTURE 



CHAPTER I. 

 INTRODUCTORY. 



Before taking up a systematic study of plant cul- 

 ture, we may profitably consider a few principles of a 

 more general nature. 



1. Close Observation offers the best means of gain- 

 ing knowledge of material things. The habit of ac- 

 curate discernment., and of studying the relations of 

 and the reasons for things and facts as w r e find them, 

 should be constantly cultivated. Knowledge once 

 gained must be applied at the proper place, the proper 

 manner and at the proper time, or the highest success 

 in any calling cannot be expected. 



2. The Difference between Art and Science. Art is 

 simply knowing how to do a thing without reference to 

 reasons. Science considers the reasons for doing it in a 

 particular manner. Art implies more or less of skill 

 gained through practice. Science implies a knowledge 

 of the objects to be gained by a given operation and the 

 conditions affecting the process. 



An intelligent but ignorant person might be taught to 

 prepare and insert a cion (386)* in the most approved 



* The numbers in parenthesis in the text refer to tha num- 

 bered paragraphs in this book, and are intended to help students 

 to a better understanding of the subject. Students' should be 

 urged to look up these cross references. 

 2 



