PRmCIPLES OF PLANT CULTURE 



CHAPTER I 



INTRODUCTION 



A SYSTEMATIC study of plant culture should lie at the 

 beginning of good farming or gardening. One should 

 know the nature of a plant and how it responds to the 

 conditions in which it is placed, and how it is protected 

 and modified. Before undertaking a study of plant cul- 

 ture, however, we may profitably consider a few principles 

 of a more general nature. 



1. Close observation offers the best means of gain- 

 ing knowledge of material things. The habit of ac- 

 curate discernment, and of studying the relations of and 

 the reasons for things and facts as we find them, should 

 be constantly cultivated. Knowledge once gained must 

 be applied at the proper place, in the proper manner and 

 at the proper time, or the highest success in any calling 

 cannot be expected. 



2. The difference between art and science. — Art, as 

 the word is used here, is knowing how to do a thing with- 

 out reference to reasons. It is practiced by the artisan 

 or workman. Science considers the reasons for doing it. 

 Art implies more or less of skill gained through practice. 

 Science implies a knowledge of the objects to be gained 

 by a given operation and the conditions affecting the 

 process. 



B I 



