PREFACE 



has been scanned by those who have been 

 both competent and fair, the more com- 

 manding it has appeared in its scientific and 

 economic value. 



Third, a still closer study of the work dur- 

 ing the period since the book was first issued 

 demonstrates that this is one of the greatest 

 constructive enterprises ever established among 

 men. It is beyond the sweep of gigantic cor- 

 poration projects, for, while from their de- 

 velopment vast good may come, the tempta- 

 tion to misuse enormous powers and to sow 

 corruption is so overmastering that that which 

 must be the active principle in all true prog- 

 ress, the constructive, is liable to be overborne 

 by that which blocks all progress, the destruc- 

 tive. With Mr. Burbank, notably in such 

 instances as that of the development of the 

 new cactus fully considered later, everything 

 is constructive, everything is planned for the 

 permanent good of man through all generations. 



To those, and they are very many, who 

 have written in print and in private with such 



