CHAPTER XXII. 



INTRODUCING ANIMALS FROM FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 



The multiplication of breeds in the British Islands 

 suited tc the different conditions of climate, soil and 

 people of these small islands, serves to show the neces- 

 sity for comprehensive knowledge of the subject of 

 breeds suited to each region in a great continental 

 country. The adaptation of grains, grasses, clovers, and 

 especially of fruits, vegetables and flowers to each 

 soil in every climate, and even to the artificial soils 

 and climates under glass, illustrates the complexities 

 and possibilities of the entire subject of suiting the 

 varieties to the conditions of each locality. 



The idea being urged by Mr. W. T. Swingle, the 

 great "suggestor" of the National Department of Agri- 

 culture, that life history stifdies be made of every 

 species of plants and animals, is entirely to the 

 point. Under these plans men would be detailed 

 b> the National Department to study each economic 

 species wherever it may be scattered throughout the 

 earth. Their life history as species, their habits and 

 adaptabilities, their uses and weak points, their varia- 

 tion and adaptation to various climates and uses would 

 be studied in relation to every condition of climate, 

 soil and market needs. The possibilities which might 

 come from breeding them pure or from hybridizing 

 different species, varieties or breeds \vould also be stud- 

 ied. Thus w need men who know the wheat species 

 in all its characteristics and habits. Others are needed 

 who know alfalfa in all climes and who will suggest 

 experiments to local investigators, and thus set in mo- 

 tion the necessary research to secure better yielding 

 hardier disease-resistant forms, and alkali-resistant 

 strains, to fit even 7 cultivated area, whether in a tropi- 



