4 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



mentecl by a natural aptitude. These qualities become a part of his 

 nature as exhibited in his hal)it of thou<2:ht, the evidence he requires 

 to satisfy his mind. 



V\\' need in some ({uarters a clearer understanding of ^vhat research 

 is and of the methods of science Avhich characterize it. The lack of 

 this knoAvled<2e is a stumblintj^ block to some men who have aspired to 

 undertake Adams fund work. It can not be otherwise, and until a 

 proper conception of this grade of work and its requirements becomes 

 more widespread, our investigation will not attain the position which 

 we hope for it. 



A great deal of our " research " is not started right and can not lead 

 to definite conclusions of scientific value until different methods are 

 practiced. The accunudation of data, whether analyses or observa- 

 tions, in an indefinite way, in the hope that they wdll shed light or 

 furnish a clew which will suggest a starting point or give an em- 

 pirical answer, is expensive and seldom leads up to an investigation. 



Research does not spring merely from a desire to further human 

 knowledge. It is conditioned on certain qualities in the man, de- 

 veloped in part through his training and in part inherent in himself. 

 The foundations of it are laid in an attitude which demands a scien- 

 tific reason for observed phenomena, a knowledge which enables the 

 subject to be approached intelligently, and skill and judgment in the 

 handling and interpretation of data. We may have the desire to 

 know the fundamental reason why a given soil becomes infertile; but 

 unless we have a sufficiently broad training to discern the point of 

 attack, to formulate a plan of investigation, taking advantage of 

 what is already known, and to interj^ret the results in a logical and 

 scientific manner, research will be out of the question. 



An investigator can not be made, even by the most careful attention 

 to his training and preparation. His ultimate success will depend 

 upon something within himself which can not be supplied from the 

 outside. But a great deal can be done in developing the resources he 

 possesses, in directing his study along broad lines, and in inculcating 

 the scientific spirit. These things are a product of special graduate 

 work of university grade. They require a favorable atmosphere for 

 their development. 



The recognition of these facts is leading station directors to an in- 

 creasing degree to require higher qualifications in their new men. 

 They are looking for men who have had substantial graduate courses 

 in science equivalent to the work of the larger universities, which shall 

 have brought them into direct contact with research work and given 

 them not only the technical knowledge and training in methods, but 

 correct discrimination and an inspiration which lie at the very basis 

 of successful investigation. 



