4 
IOWA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 
But the loss of these resources is not the only calamity 
which has befallen us. So widespread was the idea that 
everyone was entitled to anything which was “public” 
that the land-grabber and the timber-thief came to 
be regarded merely as enterprising citizens, and the 
standard of public morals was lowered to such an extent 
that the courts and public opinion sustained various 
so-called “vested rights,” even when they were secured 
through fraud and collusion. But to some extent there 
has been a public awakening, and even the cold-blooded, 
self-satisfied business man is beginning to turn to the sci- 
entist, asking that he save him from his own folly. 
Science, through its discoveries, has stimulated business 
enterprise, and has, therefore, been largely responsible for 
the havoc which has sometimes followed in its wake, — but 
science must also come to the rescue and point out the 
rational means and methods by w'hich the good things 
which we enjoy may be perpetuated for the benefit of our 
descendants. 
No scientific branch is more intimately connected with 
our everyday lives than botany. To plants we owe, 
directly or indirectly, practically all our food, and much of 
the shelter and protection which we enjoy. Agriculture, 
horticulture, and countless industries owe their existence 
to plants, and are based on scientific botanical principles. 
To plants we are also indebted for the comfort and beauty 
of our surroundings, and in every relation and activity of 
life, from the cradle to the grave, we have more or less to 
do with them. These relations involve not only personal 
profit and private interests, but common weal and public 
welfare as well. It follows that a knowledge of plants — 
a knowledge of botany — will the better enable us to de- 
rive the greatest benefit from this close relation. It will 
enable us to perpetuate and utilize that which is useful, 
and to protect ourselves against that which is harmful. It 
will convince us that we must concern ourselves not only 
with immediate profit, but with future consequences. 
