422 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



empirical methods and to underestimate the importance of deter- 

 mining fundamental laws. 



The office has definitely called in question the competence of such 

 broad and vague conceptions of leading questions in agriculture and 

 the ability' of conv^entional methods and procedure to further ad- 

 vance reliable knoAvledge of them. It has directed attention to the 

 limitations of such methods and to the necessity for originality 

 in developing theory and means of approach. These matters have 

 received attention in connection with the starting of new projects, 

 as well as in the examination of those under way. Insistence has 

 been placed on greater definiteness in projects, their limitation in 

 scope, and the employment of more searching methods. At the 

 present stage of investigation, there is less excuse than formerly 

 for broad proposals which do not exhibit a specific aim and a con- 

 sidered method of attack. Projects of wide range and generic char- 

 acter are discouraged. A clearer insight into the real nature of 

 broad problems is one of the products of the accumulated work of 

 the past, and an interpretation of this background in the building 

 of more advanced inquiry upon it is a measure of advance. 



The amount of such advanced inquiry, representing not only a 

 changed viewpoint and critical attitude but the employment of more 

 highly specialized methods, is a noticeable product of recent years, 

 and there is a growing tendency in this direction among leading 

 investigators. This is seen not only as the most promising means of 

 scientific advancement but as ultimately giving highly practical 

 results. 



RELATIONS WITH THE STATIONS. 



The dealing with research under Federal funds in accordance with 

 the prescribed laws requires the exercise of tact, sympathy, and a 

 clear appreciation of conditions represented at diil'erent institutions 

 over the country. It can not be reduced to a simple formula or set 

 of rules. The stations are a series of individual institutions and re- 

 quire individual attention. Success in aiding them and in influencing 

 the course of their development calls for the maintenance of confi- 

 dence and relations of amity. The close relations which have been 

 maintained with the individual stations of the system and with their 

 workers have contributed to such mutual understanding. Wliatever 

 success has been attained is attributed to the recognition of this com- 

 mon interest and the desire to stimulate and assist in a constructive 

 way. 



There is no attempt at direction or control of research or of the 

 lines it takes, but the purpose is to insure that it is headed right, is 

 well considered at the outset, does not stop with repetition either of 

 itself or of other work, and does not -ontinue after it has ceased to 

 mark progress in results or suggestion. The guiding purpose is to 

 bring about favorable conditions for research, to stimulate investi- 

 gators to their best efforts, to offer suggestion where it may be help- 

 ful, and to make the whole effort as effective as possible, viewed as a 

 national system — for the Federal Government and the individual 

 States are in partnership in this enterprise. 



It is usually difficult to draw definite lines between what is done 

 under the State funds and what is done under Federal support. The 



