EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Vol. XXX. January, 1914. No. 1. 



Not to know something of the history of one's specialty is to miss 

 much of the intimate and sympathetic feeling toward it which comes 

 through acquaintance. Not to know the toilsome and often dis- 

 heartening path along which the science of agriculture tra^tiled in its 

 early days in this country is to lack, not only an intelligent apprecia- 

 tion of what has actually been accomplished in a half century, but an 

 insight into the manner in which it came about. It is to miss much 

 of the broader interest of the subject, and much of the pride and sat- 

 isfaction in its pursuit. 



For the young man especially such an insight is a part of educa- 

 tion and preparation for this field. It helps to give a proper attitude 

 and sense of proportion, as well as enable just estimates. It is not 

 necessary to live in the past to enjoy familiarity with it or to trace the 

 unfolding and development of a new idea ; and the man who devotes 

 some attention to it is in no sense pursuing a dead subject. While he 

 is broadening his sympathies and acquaintanceship he is strengthen- 

 ing his own grasp and conception. Not infrequently the lack of 

 originality is disclosed of some things cherished as new, and again 

 the relatively small advancement which has been made in some lines 

 is brought forcibly home. 



The lives of the leading pioneers in this field contain much that is 

 of interest and worthy of knowing. To know them and their envi- 

 ronment more intimately increases respect for what they did and for 

 the ideals they stood for and strove to propagate. Naturally they 

 did hot fully attain to these ideals, else their work and influence 

 would not have been so potent and we would not be where we now 

 are, for the man who overtakes his ideals ceases to be a factor in 

 progress. Ignorance is prone to judge these early workers unfairly 

 by what they did not do, and to underestimate the true nature of their 

 service, because it overlooks the hindrances that stood in their path, 

 and has no intelligent realization of the determination, the self- 

 supplied encouragement, and the personal effort which their work 

 represents. It is knowledge of the environment that enables a true 

 perspective. 



