EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Vol. XVlll. Ski'tk.mhkk, llXHi. No. 1. 



In all lines of investigation the individnal is the all-important and 

 determining factor. I>uildings, e([iupnient, the scientific atmosphere, 

 and the inspiration of the field all contribute to make the conditions 

 favorable and to stimulate activity; but without the o^nius and orig'- 

 inality of the man himself the progress along original lines will be 

 slow and uncertain. TTi)()n him v\ill depend in very large measure 

 the character and the success of the investigation. 



In agriculture this is especially the case. Agricultural research 

 calls for very special qualifications in the way of native ability and 

 scientific acumen. It requires as high order of training and expe- 

 rience as any lin? of research in either pure or applied science, and in 

 addition it demands a general knowledge of practical methods and 

 conditions in order that the investigation may be directed intelli- 

 gently. It represents the culmination of efforts for the advancement 

 of agriculture upon an enlightened and scientific basis, and as such it 

 should have the very best nuiterial available, surrovmded by c(mdi- 

 tions which will be conducive to the best results. More depends upon 

 it for the progress of the human race than upon research in any other 

 line of industry. 



The problems in agriculture are complex, reciuiring a deep insight 

 and the ability to separate them into their various phases. The in- 

 vestigtitor should have a sufficient grasj) of the subject in both its 

 pi'actical and its scientific relations to be able to analyze, it and deter- 

 mine the })oint of attack. This imi)lies thorough familiarity with 

 the methods of research, the al)ility to concentrate uj^on some i)hase 

 aiid to inak(> i)rogress on the basis of definite Icnowledge. For scien- 

 tific study the ])r()jects must not be too broad or include too many 

 factors of ])ossil)l(> inlluence. They must be simjilified so as to l)ring 

 ihcm down to a working l)asis, and gi'adiially as oue point after an- 

 other is cIcariMl up. they can be broadened and extended. 



The difficulty which some men have in outlining a project defi- 

 nitely, so that it uiay b;- c()nsidei'e(l l)y itself as a definite phase in- 

 stead of as a l)roa(l problem, is in [)art due to insufficient training for 

 research. Too few of our station men have had the advanced train- 



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