EDITORIAL. 425 



the botanists took steps toward a union of their interests, now repre- 

 sented by three societies which meet simultaneously, into a single 

 organization to be known as the Botanical Society of America. 



Too great specialization is one of the dangers of the younger workers 

 in applied science, and there have been some evidences of this in the 

 forces of the experiment stations. The station men are often, by 

 reason of their location and the character of their duties, to a certain 

 degree isolated and cut off from the opportunity for contact with men 

 in their respective lines. To them quite as much as the worker in 

 pure science the broadening influence and the stimulus which come 

 from association with men of science in their own and related lines is 

 important, and tends to higher and better work. It is gratifying, there- 

 fore, to note the attendance of station men at these meetings in increas- 

 ing numbers, and to find them occupying a prominent place in their 

 respective sections or affiliated societies. 



The social or contact side is undoubtedly one of the most helpful 

 features of these meetings, for it not only enables men of science to 

 come to know one another better, but it extends scientific affiliations 

 and promotes the scientific spirit so essential to all investigation. 



In the retirement of Dr. W. C. Stubbs from the directorship of the 

 Louisiana Experiment Stations, the South loses one of its strongest 

 and most successful workers in the domain of agricultural experimen- 

 tation. One of the pioneers in this work, he combined with his scien- 

 tific attainments an aggressiveness and a knowledge of practical affairs 

 which made him a capable organizer, a forceful administrative officer, 

 and an exceptionally efficient and influential investigator. 



For twenty years past he has given his best efforts to upbuilding 

 the agriculture of the State and placing its leading industry upon a 

 more scientific basis. The multiplicity of duties imposed upon him 

 have kept him constantly overworked and greatly restricted him in 

 the higher investigation which was close to his heart. Like many 

 another man in this field, he was sacrificed to the demands of to-day, 

 as a result of the high appreciation and confidence in which he was 

 held; and it was largely due to his indomitable energy and physical 

 strength that he was able to accomplish as much as he did in agricul- 

 tural science. The desire for more leisure for writing and study is 

 given as the reason for his decision to retire thus early in life, while 

 still in full health and vigor. 



The regret at Dr. Stubbs' retirement will not be confined to the 

 State where he served, but will be shared by the surrounding States 

 which felt his influence, and by his colleagues in experiment-station 

 work throughout the country. The latter will miss his inspiration 

 and counsels, and will hope that his interest in the field of work where 

 he has been so conspicuous will not soon be relinquished. 



