THE MONTHLY BITLLETIN. 239 



that any of the remarks which I have made above are made on the 

 basis of the l)est scientific information which we have. Like every- 

 tliinir else in tliis world they are not infallil)k^ and are su])ject always 

 to change, as all truly scientific views are when new facts appear which 

 refute those views. They are given to you, therefore, as reliable infor- 

 mation in the light of present knowledge in my possession and claimed 

 to be nothing more. 



My remarks, moreover, were inspired by another hope, namely, that 

 of pointing out the lines of thought which are agitating the scientifie 

 world in soils and soil fertility today, and to give you an inkling per- 

 liaps of the methods employed and of the ])rogress attained. 



We are at i)rescnt eml)arked upon a jouiuiey of discovery of the 

 sul)lime and al)iding truths of nature, from which we shall glean not 

 ?• little of vital significance in practice and of lasting interest in theory. 

 Until we shall have stormed the mysterious citadel of nature's treasui"(^ 

 trove of truth so that it may be laid bare to the illumining light of 

 knowledge, wc must content ourselves with a promising glimpse now 

 and then, through liardly won facts, into its complex mechanism. We 

 must — and are endeavoring to in the absence of the fullest light — 

 steer our course by the guiding principles which painstaking scien- 

 tific effort has already vouchsafed us. By such careful and patient 

 effort we nuist — and we are all hopeful enough to believe that we 

 shall — eventually attain to a state of knowledge Avhich will materially 

 lighten the tasks of those whose mission it is to apply scientific i)rin- 

 ciples. It is our firm belief that that time is not far off and that 

 every year, as it comes and goes, will see many steps taken in advance. 



I appreciate most sincerely the opportunity which is thus given 

 me of discussing with you a few matters of nuitual interest to us and 

 trust that I have not wearied you by this rather lengthy discpiisition. 



