Preface


 Through a historical account of the introduction of America's
present crops, this book endeavors to close a gap in the story of
American economic development. It is intended primarily to
unfold to the general reader the origin of familiar agricultural
products, but also it may serve as a text for courses in agricultural
history. Students of economic history and the various plant
sciences should find it a useful reference. It is my hope that it
will afford an insight into the ancient process of cultural trans-
ference-the contributions of other ages and countries to America.
 The study illustrates how young and growing nations progress
by adopting the tools of economic production from older nations.
The search for and introduction of agricultural plants by the
United States Government and other agencies, exhibits this
borrowing process, and reveals America's agricultural debt to
foreign countries.
 Plant introduction by individuals and agencies other than
governmental is necessarily slighted, because the records of
individual efforts are scantier and less reliable. The work of
the Federal government in this field has been more significant
because it was better organized and because more adequate
records of introductions have been kept.
 The introduction of seeds and plants for the development of
new crops or superior varieties of established crops has been
emphasized more than the methods of selection, breeding, and
adaptation. Particular attention has been given to the organiza-
tion, aims, methods, and effects of Federal plant introduction
prior to the establishment of the Bureau of Plant Industry.
 The Library of the Department of Agriculture at Washington,
D. C., which houses the greatest collection of documents on
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