seventeen] conclusion 



Cuba, flour from Dakota — in fact, the whole 

 world is contributing to his table. On his lawns 

 we find alfalfa from Turkestan; in his gardens 

 are melons from Syria — but better than all are 

 the achievements of cross-pollenization. Science is 

 showing us the value also of the most despised 

 weeds and neglected products of field and forest. 

 The corn stalk and cotton seed have become nearly 

 as important as corn and cotton themselves. A 

 noted chemist says, "I believe there is not a by- 

 product, or a residuum, or a weed in our fields that 

 will not be found to be of value to human beings." 

 The Russian thistle, which at first so alarmed our 

 Western farmers, is now sown on their ranches as a 

 superior food for cattle and horses. Even marsh 

 mud promises to become an excellent fuel. Among 

 our farmers are such wizards as Burbank, Wilder, 

 and Munson — creators and cooperators with 

 nature in producing flowers and fruits and vege- 

 tables far superior to those which we inherited. 



The reaction to country life is natural and neces- 

 sary. There is little danger of a turn of the tide. 

 A lawyer and his wife have become my neighbors. 

 She is the refined daughter of a notable minister, 

 all of whose youth had been spent in the city. I 



[371] 



