b • PRESIDENT S ADDRESS. 



entering any of these paths the scientist must retain the humble 

 attitude of the student awaiting instruction from the contempla- 

 tion and investigation of the objects before him, if he will be as 

 successful in applied science as in the studies that he lias already 

 made. The assumption of knowledge based upon theoretical 

 principles too often lures the unwary expert into sad pitfalls. 

 We are aware that mass is estimated by the act of weighing. 

 We know that matter is indestructible. Theoretically the weight 

 of a quantity of matter does not alter. Neither heat nor cold 

 influences mass. In practice, it is soon discovered that an object 

 weighs more or less with changes of temperature. The problem 

 is not simple. Objects are ever suspended in the air, more or 

 less supported by its buoyancy. It is ever thus in applied 

 science. The scientist who would assist the progress of any 

 industry, must devote sufficient time and trouble to master 

 its details. Wherever possible he should go through the 

 training which the practical man takes to master his business. 

 The amount of scientific information is already so vast that there 

 is much room for its application without considering new dis- 

 covery. If we take the application of science to the pastoral 

 and grazing industries, wool, meat, and butter represent three 

 products of much value. The breeding of sheep and cattle has 

 had little scientific study in this country. I noted, a few years 

 ago, that the weight of wool removed in the fleece from the 

 champion sheep in the Adelaide Show had increased steadily 

 each year. Can any scientist tell us how this has been accom- 

 plished ? Would it not be worth much in Australia if a plain 

 account of the process of selection needed to increase the yield 

 of wool were available? The study of inheritance as applied to 

 domestic animals might well engage some scientist's attention. 

 The character of the wool affects its price. Here again is a field 

 of applied science. Pests diminish the value of wool. At the 

 present moment some of our members are studying the blow-fly 

 pest. The fertility of sheep affects the size of the flocks. Food 

 supply influences the weight of the sheep and of the fleece. I 

 need not remind you how these problems may be multiplied, and 



