A BACKWARD GLANCE 285 



How this plant was first taken back to the 

 stage in which it was found by the American 

 Indians, thus revealing the methods which they 

 crudely used to improve it — and how it was 

 taken back beyond the Pharaohs and then back 

 forty centuries before the time of man — how we 

 know these things to be true — and how, as a result 

 of these experiences we are about to see it carried 

 forward by several centuries — all of these things 

 are reserved for a later chapter where space will 

 permit the treatment which the subject deserves. 



The illustration is cited here merely as one of 

 thousands, typical of plant improvement, in 

 which, in order to work forward a little, we must 

 think backward ages and ages. 



It is cited here to show that what is merely an 

 interesting theory to the mass of the world's 

 workers becomes a definite, practical, working 

 necessity to the man or woman who becomes 

 interested in plant improvement. 



It is cited here so that we may be helped to 

 get a clearer mind picture of our viewpoint — 

 of that viewpoint which, after all, has enabled 

 us to become a leader in a new line, the founder 

 of a new art — instead of remaining a nursery- 

 man or gardener. 



In my viewpoint there is little that is new — 

 little that has not been discovered by others — 



