EDITORIAL. 105 



The process of organization of the research work has already re- 

 vealed as one of the principal difficulties the scarcity of trained 

 investigators. " Nothing has impressed the commissioners more than 

 the clearness with which the fact has appeared that the first con- 

 dition of any considerable progress in these ways is the creation 

 of a trained staff. It is useless to expect that immediate results of real 

 value can be obtained on a large scale merely by expenditure. . . . 

 The number of men really qualified to conduct agricultural research 

 in this country is at present exceedingly small, and it obviously can 

 not be increased at a moment's notice." 



With a view to remedying this condition so far as possible, a por- 

 tion of the fund is being utilized for scholarships in agricultural 

 science. Twelve scholarships of $750 each per annum have been 

 established, mostly at Cambridge University, these being tenable for 

 three years. 



The encouragement of agricultural instruction and extension has 

 also been favored in other grants from the fund. One of these set 

 aside a sum not to exceed $1,625,000 for use to March 31, 1916, in 

 agricultural education under the auspices of county education authori- 

 ties. This grant has been temporarily withdrawn, pending a read- 

 justment of certain administrative details, but it is expected that it 

 will eventually be utilized for providing county staffs of agricultural 

 instructors, working from headquarters termed " farm institutes." 

 These institutes will provide demonstrations, short courses both at 

 the headquarters and in traveling schools, and otherwise be at the 

 disposal of the farmers of the region. 



A grant of $60,000 per annum is also available for more technical 

 advice and the investigation of local agricultural problems. This 

 fund is to be administered by the Board of Agriculture and Fish- 

 eries, through not to exceed 12 approved universities and colleges in 

 England and Wales. The men thus employed will be officers of the 

 colleges and represent them officially in the dissemination of results. 



From this survey it will be apparent that an important experiment 

 as to the ways and means of governmental aid to agriculture is being 

 undertaken, and that the plan which is undergoing trial presents 

 many novel features. In Great Britain, although the careful con- 

 sideration which has been accorded to the manifold questions in- 

 volved in the disposition of the fund has necessarily retarded the 

 commencement of active operations, the policy of the commissioners 

 to proceed in a conservative and thoroughgoing way has received 

 general commendation from scientists, the farmers themselves, and 

 the general public. Well-considered plans have thereby been matured 

 and a substantial foundation has been put in place. Now that the 

 erection of the substructure is under way, there will be continued in- 

 terest among all who are concerned with the upbuilding of agriculture, 

 and further developments will be awaited with much anticipation. 



