332 IV. The Horticultural Problem 



The condition of knowledge in the country among the general public, 

 and even among those who may be reckoned his special clientele, being 

 what it is, he has also at times to awaken the horticulturist to a sense 

 of danger and of loss likely to follow neglect of disease in crops, and 

 this not only t)n the particular grower's own account but also on account 

 of other persons engaged in similar industries; further he will often have 

 to overcome prejudice as well as inertia in the direction of securing the 

 adoption of the necessary measures of control. 



It is clear that to secure these ends the man best fitted for the work 

 will be one who can secure the confidence of practical horticulturists. 

 Comparatively few of the latter can be expected to have either time or 

 opportunity thoroughly to study plant diseases and their treatment; 

 their business is mainly with the art and craft of horticulture — the 

 growing and use of plants for their several purposes. Means to the 

 integration may, however, be found by personal contact between the 

 researchers and the growers. This is the best method and the researcher 

 into avowed practical problems who takes no part in education is apt to 

 become as barren as the teacher who takes no part in or note of current 

 investigation. The widest public can be reached by writing in accessible 

 periodicals or by popular books, but the writing must be clear and in 

 simple straightforward English. The use of technical terms should be 

 reduced to a minimum, but not avoided at the expense of accuracy, and 

 it must be kept clearly in mind that the public whom it is desired to 

 reach have had, as a rule, no opportunity of attaining even the rudiments 

 of the special knowledge which the writer possesses. 



Many of the leaflets published from time to time appear to fall short of 

 their purpose because they are written to serve more purposes than one. 

 For these, which are to go to the purely practical man who may be entirely 

 iornorant — and it is to be borne in mind that the troubles of the allotment 

 gardener's cabbage patch are as serious to him as are those of the apple 

 orchard to the fruit-grower — a plain statement of the symptoms of a 

 disease and of the methods of prevention and control is all that is desir- 

 able. Those who wish to know more may with advantage be referred to 

 fuller papers. Argument in such leaflets is out of place and technicalities 

 should be strenuously avoided. 



Legislative measures may be used as an educative force and so used 

 are likely to have greater value than when made the cloak for protection. 

 And last, but by no means least, demonstration gardens accessible to 

 all, where approved preventive and remedial measures may be seen 

 in operation, will have an enormous influence in effecting the purpose 

 which is the raison d'etre of this Conference. 



