“These sprays, dusts, and aerosols are now applied almost universally to farms, gardens, forests, and homes-nonselective chemicals that have the power to kill every insect, the 'good' and the 'bad,' to still the song of birds and the leaping of fish in the streams, to coat the leaves with a deadly film, and to linger on in soil-all this though the intended target may be only a few weeds or insects. Can anyone believe it is possible to lay down such a barrage of poisons on the surface of the earth without making it unfit for all life? They should not be called 'insecticides,' but 'biocides.'” ShouldBelieveMayStillsHomeEarthFilmSongBirdGardenLaysFishesSurfaceForestsDustStreamsPoisonSoilTargetWeedFarmsChemicalsCoatsInsectsSpraySilent SpringInsecticides Book:The house of life: Rachel Carson at work Source: The house of life: Rachel Carson at work
“If nature has been frugal in her gifts and endowments, there is the more need of art to supply her defects. If she has been generous and liberal, know that she still expects industry and application on our part, and revenges herself in proportion to our negligent ingratitude. The richest genius, like the most fertile soil, when uncultivated, shoots up into the rankest weeds; and instead of vines and olives for the pleasure and use of man, produces, to its slothful owner, the most abundant crop of poisons.” IfsKnowsMenNeedsHas BeensArtStillsUsePleasureProduceIndustryGeniusRevengeGenerousPoisonSoilProportionOwnersWeedApplicationDefectsCropsVinesFertileOlivesIngratitudeEndowmentFrugalFertile Soil Book:Philosophical Essays: On Morals, Literature, and Politics Source: Philosophical Essays: On Morals, Literature, and Politics