426 MYCOLOGY IN RELATION TO PLANT PATHOLOGY 



larlv publicized or perhaps that either should be given any popular 

 publicity, for they thereby partake all too much of the nature of 

 nostrums for the cure of human ailments, as advertised in news- 

 papers and popular magazines or over the radio. It should be 

 remembered that reputable physicians never sponsor the dissemi- 

 nation of panaceas for human diseases. Neither do they make 

 diagnoses nor prescribe treatment without first-hand knowledge 

 of the patient. It seems altogether probable, therefore, that the 

 plant pathologist could raise the esteem and respect with which he 

 is regarded by emulating the medical practitioner in these respects. 



3. It is patently a mistake for the student of fungi to confine 

 himself to his armchair or to the four walls of his laboratory or 

 greenhouse. It is equally fatal for best results if he depends en- 

 tirely upon observations made in the field. Laboratory experi- 

 ments with fungi and observations on them in the field each have 

 a limited usefulness, but they can be used to complement each 

 other. Results of laboratory experiments are intended to serve 

 as a basis for field trials but should never be translated into definite 

 recommendations for field practice until after they have been ade- 

 quately tested under conditions that obtain in the field. To do 

 otherwise might cause the reputation of the plant pathologist to 

 suffer a serious decline; furthermore the mistakes of an individual 

 sometimes reflect discredit to his associates and colleagues as well. 

 Unfortunately scientific theory, as developed from experiments 

 under controlled conditions existing in the laboratory, and field 

 practice may prove to be miles apart. All in all, there clearly 

 exists a real need among plant pathologists and mycologists for 

 better acquaintance with both saprogenic and pathogenic fungi 

 as they occur in garden, orchard, field, and forest. Such meetings 

 with fungi in their natural haunts would serve the same function 

 to students of mycology as does the holding of clinics to the 

 physician. 



Gradually the interests of students of fungi have become more 

 sharply delimited, one group being concerned primarily with 

 taxonomic problems and the other with disease problems. This 

 specialization has been carried to the extent that it is unusual for 

 a mycologist to do research in plant pathology and for a phyto- 

 pathologist to do research in mycology. The underlying reasons 

 are not difficult to discern. They may most charitably be at- 

 tributed to the frailties and limitations of the human mind and to 

 the fact that specialization in training and interest has become 



