viii History 



others. All these writings were fascinating to read. How 

 to produce new forms of vegetation seized some of us with 

 irresistible power. The literature has now become complex 

 and difficult, with considerable gain, no doubt, in a closer 

 acquaintance with the subject, and a nearer approach to the 

 ultimate truth; but the charm of the simple literature is 

 largely buried, and I fear that much of our interest is now 

 expressed in the discussion of methods and in disputing 

 about the reasons. Yet we are accumulating knowledge, 

 and after a time we shall come back to clarity and to a 

 simplicity that the layman can use. 



L. H. BAILEY. 



/ ITHACA, N. Y., 



December 1, 1914. 



