EDITOBIAL. 103 



The maintenance of an organization of agricultural college editors, 

 and this term it should be stated was so defined as to include those 

 engaged in similar Avork in the experiment stations and this Depart- 

 ment, should also be of value in establishing ideals and standards 

 in this comparatively new occupation. The special recjuirements 

 which have led individual institutions to j)rovide for an editorial 

 corps have been quite varied, and in consequence prominence has 

 sometimes been given to duties somewhat analogous to those of a 

 press agent, in others approximating those of a proofreader or print- 

 ing clerk, and in others embracing work of a grade demanding not 

 only technical knowledge and editorial ability but a substantial 

 scientific education. 



It is quite probable, and perhaps not wholly undesirable, that this 

 diversity will continue for a considerable period. The work un- 

 doubtedly represents different grades of requirement, but it affords 

 opportunity for the exercise of a high grade of technical and scien- 

 tific understanding. Indeed, some of the difficulties encountered 

 have been due to a lack of this, which has prevented the develop- 

 ment of sympathetic, cooperative relations between the author or 

 scientific worker and the editor. Such relations are much to be de- 

 sired, and are worthy of attention to bring about mutual understand- 

 ing. Experience has shown the difficulty of attracting to such edi- 

 torial service men whose equipment and training have qualified them 

 to make it a life work. This is partly due to an underrating of the 

 status of such men and a failure to make the positions sufficiently 

 attractive. Men will have to be developed who combine taste for 

 such work with the necessary knowledge, and we shall have such men 

 in greater abundance when high standards tend to elevate their posi- 

 tions and give them due recognition. An association devoted to the 

 interests of the otherwise isolated individuals in this field will not 

 only serve to call attention to this growing branch of activity, but 

 also give standing and recognition to it. Likewise, if these agricul- 

 tural editors through their conferences and their concerted influence 

 bring about a higher standard of excellence in the publications they 

 will not only dignify their own work but that of the class of publica- 

 tions they represent. 



The fundamental object of the new association should be the im- 

 provement of the publications of the institutions represented. In the 

 words of Dr. Kastle, of the Kentucky Experiment Station, in an ad- 

 dress of welcome to the delegates, it should be the mission " more 

 than anything else to give some tone and dignity and solid and en- 

 during worth to all of our communications." This of course, as 

 already suggested, is a problem which will demand the best thought 

 of the director, the investigator, the extension worker, and the libra- 



