174 JOURNAL OF I'ORICSTRY 



allied lines for solving problems of the utmost importance which would 

 otherwise remain untouched. 



The division works by committees, which are formed to investigate 

 and report upon points. These committees may or may not become 

 standing committees, depending upon the nature of the problem. Some 

 projects arc referred to the Executive Committee of the division for 

 consideration. 



One of the committees which should be of assistance in bringing 

 together research workers in related fields is the Committee on Cur- 

 rent Problems. The purpose of this committee is to consider ways 

 and means of securing and publishing current problems in biology, 

 in order that investigators may have a view of the field as a whole 

 and see gaps in the different subjects; this will give an opportunity 

 of calling attention to problems in a field in which the investigator 

 could not follow it and thereby enable others better equipped, or who 

 would not have known of the problem, to take it up. This committee 

 does not itself propose the problems, but receives those sent in by 

 others. Unquestionably foresters will benefit by sending in to this 

 committee well considered outlines of problems bearing upon their 

 work. The chairman of this committee is Dr. G. N. Collins, of the 

 Bureau of Plant Industry, Washington, D. C. 



Foresters are directly concerned with the Institute for Tropical 

 American Research being formed by the Research Council. The aims 

 of this institute are to bring about cooperation between institutions 

 and organizations interested in tropical American research. One of 

 the most important lines needing attention is the forests. Forestry 

 has been represented in the development of the project and is now 

 well recognized by having Professor Toumey as one of the seven 

 members of the new institute, which will bring about better co-operation 

 and facilitate the work in tropical America. 



Among the other activities of the division, which can be mentioned 

 without being dwelt upon, are projects for study of food and nutrition, 

 for animals as well as for man; a proposed organization of plant 

 pathologists and industrial corporations for the study and control of 

 plant diseases in order to diminish losses to crops in the field and to 

 produce on the way to the consumer ; and the Publication Committee, 

 which is endeavoring to improve publication facilities and bibliograph- 

 ical work throughout the whole field of science. 



The aim of the council is to help and stimulate research, not to con- 

 trol it, and its entire organization and spirit are thoroughly democratic. 



December 20, 1920. BarrinGTON MoORE. 



