6 EXPERIMEXT STATION EECORD. [Vol.43 



search, a diminished force of attack, attention to questions of smaller 

 ran<;e or sinii)ler character, and a falling off in publication. 



The results are evident in many ways. For one thing, new projects 

 receive less study in their preparation, which is seen in a less clearly 

 defined objective, less reference to the actual status of inquiry on the 

 subject, and a less effective plan of attack. In many cases the heads 

 of (k'partments or leaders of important projects have become involved 

 in a variety of exacting duties connected with college work or 

 administration. It is the old story of combination men and divided 

 time and interests, intensified by the growth of the colleges and the 

 demands of teaching. These officers are attempting to retain the 

 leadership of projects they originally inaugurated, after they have 

 been largely diverted to other lines. The duties they have taken on 

 frequently make it impracticable for them to maintain more than a 

 quite general contact or advisory relation with the investigation. 

 They are no longer able to participate actively in the projects, and 

 the latter must be left to others in large measure to plan and perform 

 if they are to be steadily progressive. Unless this is done the 

 " leader " may become in reality a drag. In such case, the work 

 instead of being original and aggressive, becomes increasingly^ routine 

 and conventional ; the results are not studied criticalh' and built upon 

 systematically, and publication often lapses for many jears. 



This is not a theoretical possibility but an actuality which is taking 

 place all too frequently of late. It is the price of intentional but 

 unreal economy — the attempt to keep up the showing and meet the 

 pressing need on a prewar allowance. And it is a reversion or 

 adherence to the old plan of placing nominal leadership in the 

 department head, rather than developing leadership among those 

 who are actually engaged in the work and on whom progress mainly 

 de])ends. If the latter are held back by the absorption of the nominal 

 leader in other matters or reluctance to relinquish control, the effect 

 soon becomes evident in the character of the work or in suspended 

 ])ublication. 



Of late the practice of dividing time with the college teaching or 

 extension work seems on the increase, rather than otherwise. It is 

 a residt of straitened circumstances in part, and of the scarcity of ex- 

 perts; but in part it grows out of pressure upon the stations to use 

 the surplus time of men not fully employed by their college duties. 

 A portion of the salary, amounting to from $200 to a quarter or a 

 third of the whole, is assigned to the station on the assumption that 

 the teacher will find time to render some service to tHe station. Re- 

 sponsibility for his so doing is usually left with the director, and 

 the division is made on the motion of the college more often than at 

 the request of the station for the assistance it is supposed to supply. 



