EDITORIAL. 403 



rather than at practical rules. The need of well-trained, well-poised 

 men to conduct such work was strongly emphasized, for it was 

 recognized that without men with the proper training and the proper 

 outlook, little real advancement in horticultural science can be looked 

 for. Men first, and then the development of methods of research in 

 horticulture, were looked upon as the two things most needful for 

 horticultural investigation. 



In a }:)aper on The Adams Fund in Its Helation to Investigation 

 in Horticukure, E. W. Allen, of this Office, described the work wliicli 

 is being done in horticulture under that fund, and pointed out some 

 of the essential features of investigation. The review showed that 

 the Adams fund has stimulated a considerable amount of investiga- 

 tion in the field of horticulture, and that this covers a quite wide 

 range. Of the forty-five projects in that field, however, only a part 

 are being conducted by horticulturists, the remainder being in charge 

 of men in other departments. 



This illustrates the intimate relationship between horticulture and 

 the basic sciences, and the necessity of taking account of the investi- 

 gation done there in determining the j^resent status of science in 

 horticulture. The horticulturist entering the field of investigation 

 requires a quite broad view of science. This familiarity must teach 

 him the field of these sciences, and in a general way what has already 

 been done. He must know not only the methods and the spirit of 

 science, but he must be able to think clearly in science. He must be 

 able to analyze the large practical problems in his subject, and re- 

 solve them into their scientific aspects, so as to define his investigation, 

 get a point of attack, and give the work direction. 



There is much advantage to be gained from the point of view of the 

 horticulturist, provided there is combined with it a broad scientific 

 outlook and sympathy. The man with practical sympathies and an 

 understanding of the conditions of the art should.be in position to 

 turn out more efficient and useful investigation in horticulture than 

 one whose studies take no account of these considerations. 



But the horticulturists too often approach their problem from 

 the standpoint of the art primarily, rather than that of science, and as 

 a result the experimental work in that field has consisted quite largely 

 of trials and experiments which gave only a superficial answer and 

 are not conclusive or permanent in character. Up to the present 

 time there has not been a very widespread or well-defined sentiment 

 for research under existing conditions. The horticulturists have felt 

 the pressure to get results of immediate practical application by the 

 shortest route. The needs of the art have appealed to them strongly, 

 and the commercial and practical aspects of the subject have been 

 alluring and fascinating. 



