304 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol. 41 



Much has been said about duplication in station work, a type of 

 repetition which is not regarded as wholly profitable because it is a 

 going-over of similar ground in a similar way, without adding any- 

 thing new that is material in a broad sense, or contributing to the 

 final solution. In some cases it may be largely a redemonstration. 

 It is not constructive in the best sense, because it does not recognize 

 what has been done and build upon it. It is opposed to careful an- 

 alysis of the questions and originality in attacking them. There is 

 still considerable of such work in the aggregate, and it accounts for 

 quite an item of expenditure. 



Satisfaction with the mere practical result applying to the imme- 

 diate present, without attempt to analyze or weigh the factors which 

 go to comprise it or may modify it, represents an attitude which is 

 inadequate at the present time. The same attitude of inquiry needs 

 to be encouraged in the simpler forms of experiment as in more funda- 

 mental investigation, although it may not lead as far. This attitude 

 of inquir3\ of searching for reasons as well as for facts, of guarding 

 against inaccuracy, and of critical attention to the provision of con- 

 ditions for sound conclusions, leads to a larger element of perma- 

 nency in results and hence a more adequate return on the investment. 

 It is important that the method and the procedure are adequate to 

 the problem, and to insure this requires critical examination at the 

 outset or at definite stages. Field and feeding experiments not infre- 

 quently exhibit evidences of haste and insufficient consideration in 

 planting. The adequacy of the plan to give a clear and definite 

 answer has not been critically scrutinized in advance. Too many 

 things have been assumed, with the result that there are too many 

 variables Avhich rise up later to cause confusion and uncertainty. 



Several stations have recently undertaken a critical examination 

 of their projects to determine their importance and adequacy, and to 

 ascertain where they are leading. It is an attempt to strengthen the 

 program of investigation and experiment and at the same time to 

 adapt ends to means. It provides for a certain measure of realign- 

 ment with concentration upon the more important and promising 

 lines, allowing the retrenchment to apply to the less significant ones. 



The human element is recognized as the largest controlling factor 

 in agricultural research, far overshadowing all others, and yet in 

 practice it seems not always to be given the weight it is entitled to. 

 The stafi" is usually provided with physical equipment without stint, 

 but in a multiplicity of duties and calls its energies are dissipated 

 to an extent which is serious for the station work, and it is itself 

 sometimes made the subject of economy. Economy which begins 

 with the staff begins at the wrong end, and is dwarfing to the in- 

 stitution. 



