346 Chief of a Laboratory of Plant Pathology 



of Krai's Bakteriologisches Laboratorium,^^ Prague, which read 

 as follows: 



You had the kindness to forward me 6 phytopathogenic organisms, 

 whose cultures arrived in the best condition. These six species are of the 

 highest value for my collection and I beg you to accept my best thanks 

 for them. 



I shall be happy to receive still other species from your laboratory, as 

 you kindly indicated in your letter of December 18th. 



All species, microbes and fungi which I possess, are at your disposition, 

 you would oblige me by giving me the opportunity to send you what 

 interests you. 



Smith received this letter on January 30. In the next two months 

 was published in three numbers of the Centralblatt ^^ his final 

 reply to Fischer, " Entgegnung auf Alfred Fischer's 'Antwort ' in 

 betreff der Existentz von durch Bakterien verursachten Pflanzen- 

 krankheiten." In the spring of 1900 Smith had prepared a memo- 

 randum, " Reasons for desiring to publish final reply to Alfred 

 Fischer," and with its use, "carried [his] point and published 

 [his] paper in Centralblatt fiir Bakt." It read: 



Numerous specific charges have been made by Dr. Fischer against my 

 papers. He says he found them so full of mistakes that he was unable 

 to use them and cites numerous cases in proof. These charges I have not 

 met, but I have stated that I intend to do so. (1) What will be the result 

 if I do not reply.'' There is not a German from one end of the Empire 

 to the other who, in my position, would not reply, whether the facts 

 supported him or not. If I do not meet these charges the majority will say: 

 "' He evidently remained silent because he could not meet the criticism." 

 I know very well the habit of the German mind. This is what they will 

 think, and what they will say. 



(2) When American workers have been attacked outrageously, myself 

 most of all, and when I have a full and unanswerable reply ready, why 

 should I pigeon-hole it, and leave one-half the world in doubt, — say 

 rather nine-tenths.^ To do this would be simply playing into Fischer's 

 hands. He could desire nothing better. In order to save himself, he has 

 tried in every possible way to discredit my work, and by implication that 

 of the Department. I have smarted under it and will not endure it. The 

 stealing of all my books or all of my money would have caused me much 



'^ March 23, 1900, Decent Krai had written to Smith, "" In accordance with Prof. 

 Wehmer of Hannover (last number of the Centralbl. f. Bakt. II Abth.) I think it 

 would be of great interest for all European Phytopathologists to make Experiments 

 with the phytopathogenic Bacteria, described by you, Dr. Arthur, Savastano, and 

 (ithers. Would you be so kind and send me cultures of such bacteria you dispose of.' " 



''7 (3, 4, and 5/6): 88-100; 128-139; 190-199; 11 pi., 1901. 



