1917] EDITORIAL. 9 



approach. And he should have training in systematic botany, not 

 alone for its knowledge of plants but for its key system, for the drill 

 in comparing things that are actually comparable. His training 

 should also give him a contemplative, reflective habit of thought ; and 

 he should always continue to be a student. Unless he continues to 

 acquire much of his preparation as he goes, his research spirit has got 

 its growth. The investigator must prepare himself for each sepa- 

 rate piece of work. 



In addition to this training in the sciences, emphasis was laid on 

 the need for much study of English, to give familiarity with words 

 and terms in order to make sharp discriminations and comparisons, 

 and to enable clear expression of thought and deduction. This is an 

 all too frequent lack at present. Science is exact, in expression as 

 well as in essence. No worker has a right to be understood except in 

 the terms of his own language. Good training in logic was also 

 advocated, in the weighing of evidence, because ability in that line is 

 one of the prime essentials of the investigator. 



In conclusion. Dr. Bailey suggested a small standing committee 

 on research, one member of which might preferably be chosen from 

 outside the field of horticultural science, to whom questions might 

 be referred for judgment and suggestion, rather than for censorship 

 or approval. This seems a good idea, which might perhaps be 

 extended, as it has been in other organizations, to include the sugges- 

 tion by the committee of profitable lines of work, the organization of 

 cooperative undertakings, or provision for some measure of coordina- 

 tion of experiments in horticulture. This might lead to attacking 

 common problems in a more harmonious way or on a plan which 

 would prevent unnecessary duplication, complex subjects being di- 

 vided into different phases to be carried on by individuals or groups. 

 The society did not go that far, but the suggestion was made for an 

 indexing and publication of the lines of investigation in progress 

 in horticulture, possibly in the proceedings of the society, which met 

 with approval. 



A similar need for information as to what is going on was voiced 

 in a meeting of the Society of American Foresters. This meeting de- 

 veloped much interest in forest investigation, and brought out not 

 only the need of professional foresters and teachers for investigation 

 as a basis in their work, but the readiness for it by industrial con- 

 cerns and large lumber producers. 



The experimental and research work in progress in the Forest 

 Service was described in an interesting paper by Mr. E. H. Clapp 

 of that Service, who explained the extent to which wood producers 

 are found to be lacking in knowledge of the real fundamentals of 

 their business. Practical men are now realizing the lack of depend- 



