Introductory. 11 



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 environment, 

 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 promote 

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

 develop every desirable quality the plant 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 restricted in their de- 

 velopment. In culture, the intelligence and the 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 cultivated potato, for example, grows 

 larger, is more productive and is higher in food value 

 than the wild potato. 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 superfluous 



