378 Forestry Quarterly 



share of fundamental knowledge to the world, it must cease to 

 call itself a science, and drop into the list of skilled trades. 



That forestry can make this contribution is proven by the men 

 who have prepared themselves to do true scientific research. It 

 is for the profession to say whether these men shall be allowed 

 the opportunity of giving their training and ability to forestry 

 and to science, or whether they will be crushed under the wheels 

 of the practical juggernaut. 



The practical point of view is not peculiar to foresters ; it runs 

 through all the scientific work of the country. Professor G. A. 

 Jacobson (in Science for October 29, 1915) points out that m 

 Professor Pickerings' tabulation of eminent scientists,^ America 

 produced only ten scientists accorded the distinction of being 

 elected foreign associates of two or more of the leading scientific 

 societies of the world, whereas Norway and Sweden, with a com- 

 bined population of less than eight million, have produced nine 

 scientists of tlie same distinction. 



Foresters have been forced, by the nature of their work, into 

 close connection with the economic life of the country. This is 

 advantageous in that it is enabling them to assist in solving some 

 of the great economic problems to the permanent benefit of all 

 concerned. Unquestionably, the strictly practical point of view is 

 essential for foresters as a body. But there must, if forestry is 

 to be more than mere empiricism, always be a certain small pro- 

 portion of foresters engaged in scientific work. These few men 

 should not, under any circumstances, be forced to assume the 

 utilitarian point of view toward their investigations. 



No work comes into more direct contact with economic life 

 than chemistry, for what could countless industries do without 

 chemistry, yet chemistry is not overwhelmed by the utilitarian 

 point of view. 



Professor Jacobson's words about agricultural experiment sta- 

 tions, applying as they do equally to forest experiment stations, 

 strike home with peculiar force : 



"The cry in the experiment stations is for something practical, 

 not realizing that the most fundamental is the most practical in 

 the long run." 



^Popular Science Monthly, February, 1915. 



