1004 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



ture," for his projects " must bear definite relation to the actual prob- 

 lems of agriculture." This is a broad and efficient programme for 

 preparation. Ideally it should come from the agricultural college, 

 but these colleges have as yet given but little attention to that grade 

 of instruction, and it was considered doubtful whether they are at 

 the present time able to provide this training and atmosphere. Under 

 present circumstances it was advised that the prospective investi- 

 gator spend some time at a nonagricultural university, or failing 

 this, seek a position under some competent investigator where he can 

 take part in and imbibe the atmosphere of research. 



Doctor Armsbj' also considered the question as to whether the con- 

 ditions surrounding agricultural research are such as to attract men 

 and lead them to prepare for it, and he outlined some of the condi- 

 tions which contribute to this. Research positions can be made 

 attractive to men by aii'ording opportunity to do work from which 

 credit and responsibilit}^ may result. While there must inevitably 

 be much routine work, this should not be organized on the factory 

 basis. A large degree of responsibility and freedom should be 

 allowed to each group of workers, for in this way individual initia- 

 tive is preserved and encouraged and more opportunities for advance- 

 ment are open to young men. " In this way the university function 

 of the research institution is most effectively performed and the 

 training of the young worker in the method and spirit of scientific 

 investigation most rapidly advanced." Like all branches of scien- 

 tific activity, the conditions should be characterized by a notable 

 degree of academic freedom, and there must likewise be freedom of 

 discussion. 



While large pecuniary rewards can not be expected from research 

 in agriculture, there should be a living wage which will enable the 

 worker to have books, travel, maintain scientific affiliations, and live 

 in a way becoming his position. Pressure of pecuniary needs should 

 not force capable and competent men into other lines of work, "a 

 tendency which has not been entirely lacking in recent years." But 

 the pecuniary reward was considered only secondary, while the other 

 reward, the satisfaction of rendering real service in the advancement 

 of mankind, is such that it " should appeal with tremendous force to 

 the generous soul of 3'outh." 



The other paper was by Dr. W. H. Jordan upon the subject of 

 The Authority of Science, and likewise dealt largely with the condi- 

 tions essential to effective inquiry, and especially the man side. Doc- 

 tor Jordan developed in a very logical way the fact that the authority 

 at present vested in science rests on conscientious scientific inquiry, 

 which in turn rests upon the individual, for " science is an individ- 

 ual product." Since what we accept as science is not infallible, but 



