means that the most abstract and profound study is necessary. For- 

 tunately such study is more and more engaging the attention of chem- 

 ists and vegetable physiologists. 



From the chemical standpoint we need: First, such studies as will 

 bring definite knowledge of the kinds and amounts of proximate com- 

 pounds contained in each substance to be analyzed — that is to say, (1) 

 in different species of plants, as grasses, grains, cereals, legumes, tubers, 

 roots, etc. ; (2) in plants of the same species grown under different condi- 

 tions; (3) in different parts of the same plant, as the stalk and seed of 

 maize and wheat, and the different parts of the wheat grain; (4) in the 

 same plant at different periods of growth ; (5) in animal substances. For 

 some of the information needed the aid of the histologist must be sought. 

 Second, studies of each compound regarding its behavior with re-agents — 

 i. e. solubility, etc.; its elementary composition; its cleavage products; 

 its molecular constitution ; the changes it undergoes by the action of 

 ferments; its digestibility, and its potential energy. Third, classifi- 

 cations of the compounds based upon the properties named. Fourth, 

 improved methods for separation and estimation based upon the same 

 properties. Fifth, as the outcome of all this, more correct methods of 

 estimating the nutritive values. 



Investigations in these lines have been already undertaken by the 

 Division of Chemistry of the United States Dei)artment of Agriculture, 

 by several of the experiment stations, and by other institutions of re- 

 search. The work of the Association of Official Agricultural Chemists 

 in developing and improving the methods of analysis has been of the 

 very greatest value. For the collating of the results of previous in- 

 quiries, and for the prosecution of the necessary inv^estigations, co-oper- 

 ation of a large number of specialists will, of course, be requisite. We 

 may confidently expect that experiment stations will be able to devote 

 more and more labor to these higher inquiries. The increased resources 

 of our agricultural colleges will enable them to encourage such re- 

 searches. The scientific value of this work is such that chemists in 

 other colleges and universities ought to be led to join in it. And is it 

 too much to suggest that international co-operation might be secured? 

 The expense of this research may be best met by the wise expenditure 

 of relatively small sums of money judiciously distributed, so as to stim- 

 ulate investigations and briug them to completion. In what the Smith- 

 sonian Institution has done in times past in promoting research by small 

 amounts of money, we have an illustration of what might be accom- 

 plished here. The result would be useful in several ways. It would 

 encourage research, develop talent and improve the intellectual tone of 

 the institutions where such work was being done. Its influence upon 

 the development of science in this country would be excellent and the 

 practical value of the outcome would many times exceed the cost. 



