SUGGESTIONS FOR FUKTHKK WORK. 63 



pn>l)lonis in Now Eno-land and the Soutlicin and Central States which 

 are in need of careful field .study. 



There is also need of a much more careful and jiccurate study of the 

 various species of native u-rasses in the field. The dried si)eciinens, 

 which are prepared for the herbarium, arc \'ery valua))lc for study 

 and comparison, hut they do not retain all the characteristics which 

 are necessary to a full and satisfactory knowledt^e of the plants. It is 

 g-radually becoming- recognized by students of plants that in order to 

 o]>tain a thorough and accurate knowledge of the species they must 

 be studied in the living state, growing uiuUm- natural conditions and in 

 their natural environment. Descriptions of species in ordei- to be 

 accurate and have the greatest scientihc value should be made from 

 the living, gfrowing plant in situ. Drawings and illustrations should 

 also be made from the same material. Good photographs tiro also very 

 valuable for illustrating the habits of growth of various species. 



Notwithstanding the great amount of literature published and widely 

 (listril)uted each year by the Division there seems to be a large num- 

 ber of people who should naturally be interested in and benefited by 

 the work done who are not reached l\v this means. A plan somewhat 

 similar to that adopted ])y the Division of Forestry would, no doubt, 

 greatly increase the usefulness of the work. This is the M-ivinj? of lee- 

 tures on (juestions relating to grasses and forage plants at the various 

 points visited by field workers. These lectures or talks, illustrated 

 by stereopticon views, would Ijring much more forcibly to the atten- 

 tion of the people the various problems and methods of dealing with 

 them. Under the stimulus of such direct and individual contact nuich 

 greater and more important and ])eneficial results would be secured. 

 Direct assistance and advice in the solution of any of the prolilems 

 which present themselves would be a great advantage and result in 

 greatly widening the field of influence and the practical importance of 

 the work. The more closely we come in contact with the people who 

 are struggling with the various forage problems the greater benefit will 

 be derived by both. This contact will also promote a mutual under- 

 standing which will lead to a ))etter appreciation of the difficulties to 

 be overcome and a more thorough sympathy and cooperation in the 

 work. 



