The History of Organic Evolution

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Abstract
The meaning of evolution is probably more misunderstood than any doctrine of science. The reason is that it has been discussed very freely by those who are not informed, thus propagating much misinformation. There are at least 3 important reasons why evolution should be regarded as a necessary part of college training: it has revolutionized modern thought; it is persistently misunderstood; it has revolutionized agriculture. There have been three distinct periods in the history of evolution, based upon the method of attack: speculation (before 1790); observation and inference (1790-1900); experimentation (1900). Most of the recent turmoil in reference to evolution deals only with the contributions of the middle period. The experimental study of evolution has developed the field of genetics, which must uncover the machinery of evolution. The facts thus far indicate complexities not realized before. The present status of evolution as a body of doctrine is in state of flux. It is not the fact of evolution that is being questioned by investigators, but the various attempts to explain the fact. Some indication of the important practical results that the study of evolution has made possible may be obtained from its application to such problems as crop adaptation, drought, and plant diseases.

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