EDITORIAL.. 5 



work on the subject the question remains an open one. Furthermore, 

 the results of rotation experiments are so subject to varying seasonal 

 conditions as to make the results difficult to interpret in a relia])le 

 way, and liable to lead to wrong conclusions unless the numerous 

 variants are checked. 



"VVliile many classes of field experiments are apparently quite 

 simple, they are, in fact, difficult and time consuming if the condi- 

 tions essential to exact results are fully met, and their interpreta- 

 tion calls for careful scientific discrimination and weighing of evi- 

 dence. These experiments figure so conspicuously in the work of the 

 stations that it is gi-atifying for this society to take the matter up 

 for critical study through committees. As the organization includes 

 the men who are conducting field and crop experiments, there could 

 hardly be a more j^ertinent subject for consideration. 



Similarly in the extension section and the meeting of Farmers' 

 Institute "Workers, the methods of accomplishing the ends sought in 

 carrying the results of scientific work to the man on the land, of 

 demonstrating improved practice, and of interesting the young 

 peoj^le in matters relating to agriculture and country life, were sub- 

 jects around which the papers and discussions turned in large 

 measure. 



Closely related to the matter of methods, the standards and re- 

 quirements of agricultural investigation figured prominently in the 

 meetings of several of the societies. Here such subjects as the train- 

 ing of the investigator came in for considerable attention, and the 

 difficulties at present experienced in securing men competent for 

 independent original investigation were presented. The need of 

 broad and thorough training for such a career can not be too strongly 

 emphasized, and should be made a condition of assignment of men to 

 such work. The time which has elapsed since the passage of the 

 Adams Act has given opportunity for the training of a considerable 

 number of persons, and the holding up of a high standard, with 

 freedom from interference for more elementary work, will induce 

 men from other institutions to enter this field. The scarcity of 

 trained men has led to a false opinion that young men can step 

 speedily out of undergraduate work into important places. The 

 station itself may become a training ground to some extent, and in 

 the event of failure to get men with sufficient preparation may take 

 inexperienced men and train them for the work. 



The necessity for a carefulW prepared plan of investigation, Avith 

 a reasonable limitation as to scope, has been forcibly shown through 

 the work of the stations under the Adams Act. The mere accumu- 

 lation of data, however valuable in itself, is not research, but merely 

 a means to that end, and the absence of a definite aim and a general 



