304 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol.43 



The subject of a project should be concerned with something which 

 it is deemed feasible to ascertain, and not merely something that it 

 might be desirable to know. It is necessary to determine this feasi- 

 bility at the outset as far as possible. Science proceeds on the basis 

 that there is nothing which may not be known, but in specific cases 

 the time may not be ripe for it. It may well be that more work on 

 methods or technique, or a more adequate background of general 

 information in science, is necessary before the particular question at 

 issue can be successfully solved. This has been true in years past 

 in regard to numerous agricultural topics, and has explained attempts 

 which have been abortive or inconclusive. After the feasibility of 

 a project has been reasonably tested and found lacking, or the plan 

 not found competent to meet the needs of the case, it is natural that 

 something should be done about it. Mere traversing of the same 

 ground is unprofitable, and unless obstacles can be overcome progress 

 can not be expected. 



The theme or subject does not alone constitute a research project; 

 it is the means to be employed and what is to be put into the 

 effort that gives it life and promise. It is easy to formulate topics 

 for research — subjects on which it would be desirable to have more 

 positive light, but it is less easy to define the method of attack and 

 the means which may be expected to afford this light. Unless it is 

 l^ossible to work out the plan tentatively in advance, the investigation 

 will start in the dark, with the prospect of much groping and lost 

 motion and possible miscarriage in the end. 



It is because the project is a definitely planned and conceived effort 

 that the statement of it is of great importance. It is the starting 

 point, and it expresses the spirit and the nature of the undertaking. 

 It shows the preparation which has been made for it, the originality 

 of the effort, and in large measure determines the general character 

 and probable effectiveness of the work under it. wA 



In practice stress is more likely to be laid on making the subject 

 and purpose of a project complete than in making the general pro- 

 cedure so. This is perhaps natural from the difficulty of anticipating 

 the course which will be necessary, except in a general way, but it 

 sometimes leads to broad projects which it is impractical to carry out 

 or which lead to scattered effort. 



Since a research project is not a fortuitous or circumstantial affair 

 further than can be avoided, but is conceived in the best light avail- 

 able, it is evident that the project statement must be a carefully con- 

 sidered, deliberate product. In the haste to get to work this has not 

 always been the case. No one would expect to start out upon a 

 building project to cost $50,000 or $100,000, or an exploration of a 

 new region to cover several years, without thorough study and plan- 

 ning. One who sets out to enter an unfamiliar region or to perform 



