TOPICS OF THE WEEK.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1748, 6 September 1905, Page 41

TOPICS OF THE WEEK.

“Evolution is the accepted theory of the universe. Few now dispute it, and their voice is growing husky.” That is the candid word of science and the undeniable verdict of a generation which has lived long enough to test in every way what was once matter for bitter controversy. The words quoted with which Dr Chappie opened his lecture, referred to- in our leading article are provocative of thought apart from the immediate subject of the lecture. Every person who has seized upon the main facts of Darwin’s great induction perceives it in such a complete theory of things as they are, and such certain promise of things as they will he, that the last mists have passed from before his eyes and new beauties are visible where previously was nothing but darkness and bewilderment. Moreover, everywhere man, working in the neAV light of a complete theory of life and growth, has attained results which previously were outside the range of scientific hope. Directing his effort® along the line of Nature’s plant-lie physician, the surgeon, the bacteriologist, the brewer, is able rapidly and easily to' achieve practical ends which promote the well being of all humanity. He does these things because he wisely works with Nature, and no longer struggles futilely against her.

The primary industries of mankind—those in which man is an attendant on and collaborator with Nature, depend wholly for their advancement on the intelligence of the farmer, the gardener, and the stockbreeder. The farmer who knows the broad general principles of natural and artificial selection is a notably better agriculturist than he who despises or affects to despise the teachings of biology in the light of the theory of evolution. When he has realised that the weeds which obstruct- the perfectcultivation of his fields have attained their “fitness” by an interminable struggle for existence-, and that his cultivated varieties are but things of terday, and constitutionally comparative weaklings, he has gripped a fact that must guide every detail cf hi® field work.

The educated farmer quickly realises that the forces of Nature do not direct themselves especially in the interests of man—that a beneficent Providence did not provide grains, roots, and fruits ready-made for his especial benefit. He is alive to the fact that not only do- his cultivated varieties tend to “go> back,” but that, under the stern compulsion of natural selection, the weeds, and fungoid and insect pests which obstruct his efforts tend to “come on”—to develop greater and greater fitness for their environment. With these facts weir before him, the enlightened farmer knows when it is wise to change his crops, and when it is well to discard old varieties in favour of newer and hardier sorts. If he is a man of an observant turn of mind he has besides many a chance of perpetuating and fixing better varieties which originate among his plants. In the midst of a “rusty” field he may find ears of wheat or oats little if at all affected. Knowing the law of the survival of the fittest by natural selection, he will perceive the desirability of preserving and further testing seed from these ears. In his pasture lands he may notice a stool of grass which in some respect is superior to its neighbours of the same species. If he is a prudent farmer he will perpetuate that chance product, and mayhap reap a rich reward in actual coin of the realm as well as in the satisfaction of original discovery.

What one man may do in the creating of new, useful, and ornamental plants has lately been told to the world at large in the accounts given of the practical achievements oF Luther Burbank, of California. While the various steps in the progress of this great horticulturist have long been followed with interest by those acquainted v.\t;i the work he had in bond, the presentment in cumulative form of even a small

part of the results attained has suggested to the world rather a worker of miracles than a patient, unpretentious student of Nature’s laws. Yet the lesson of hi® achievements is or ought to be a stimulus to every orchardist. There is no man cultivating a square rod of garden but may raise a new variety of fruit, or flower, or vegetable. See how often without the aid of artificial fertilisation, or any special trouble on the part of man, Nature offers them ready to his hand. The tendency to variation in seedlings and to “sport” in established varieties is well known to every, gardener who observes and reads. To secure the useful variation, to fix the “sport,” is work of interest and 1 profit. In the raising and rigid selection of new and hardy varieties rather than in sprays and dressings, or the importation of doubtfully beneficial “natural enemies,” lies the temporary solution of many of the gardener’s pest problems. "What may be called the overtaking power of Nature can never he eliminated. No “blightproof stock,” for example, will remain for ever blight-proof. Soma day an apple aphis will be evolved to which “Northern Spy” will be an easy prey; but with intelligent raising of new varieties it is always possible to keep just a step ahead. That i® the lesson which evolution teaches the man who will work' with Nature, just to get that step ahead and keep moving.

“Pearson’s Weekly” is publishing a series of communications from -men who have made their mark in the world, under the title, “My First Guinea jand what I did with it.” The following is Written by Mr Hiram S. Maxim, the inventor of the famous machine gun. ■ At the time I earned my first money I was living in the interior of the State of Maine, where money was extremely scare. Nearly a,ll the trading was done by a system of barter. At our house we had a superfluous cat, and, not wishing to kill it. we put it in a basket and dropped it from a sleigh in front of a farmhouse some distance from our place. About a week later a pedlar, who dealt in everything, called at our house, and, among other things, we found that he had the skin of our cat, for which he said he had paid ten cents. Then he offered me ten cents' each for all the cat skins that I could furnish to him.

I at once set to work making boxtraps, and for a time I did a very flourishing business, but we were living in a very small community and “the diggings soon gave out.” There were no more cats to skin. Had I lived in London or New York I should have become a Vanderbilt.

As it was, however, I turned my attention to catching minks on the river, and for these I was paid much, more than ten cents each. This was the first money I ever, earned, and, like the traditional dutiful son, I gave the -whole of it to my mother, who squandered it in paying the family expenses. Mr Maxim crocs not say how many cats he slew to secure his guinea, or whether he drew the line at that exact sum, hut at 10 cents a skin it is only a matter of calculation to secure the former piece of information. Roughly speaking,. Mr Maxim, or the hoy w-ho became him, put away fifty pussies, and yet they say the man who kills a cat will have no luck.