346 GEORGE MASSEE [NovEMBER 1899 
following :—How is it to be explained that in countries where experi- 
ment stations are most numerous, and information on every question 
to be obtained without delay, that the annual loss arising from those 
identical causes which it is the avowed object of such institutions to 
assist in preventing, is still so great? The answer is, officials of 
experiment stations can give valuable information, but—except in the 
case of certain diseases, and then only in limited areas—cannot enforce 
the carrying out of the necessary measures for their prevention. 
The first and greatest difficulty that those who essay to teach 
cultivators of the soil how to avoid loss from the attacks of plant and 
animal parasites, have to contend with is, that of replacing prejudice 
by intelligence; and this is perhaps more especially true of old 
countries, where you are confronted by statements showing how some- 
body’s great-grandfather made a fortune out of farming without 
having recourse to any of the methods now advocated. 
Tact is undoubtedly necessary, but actual demonstration is the 
sheet-anchor of success; consequently, as has been realised in many 
countries, experiment stations are indispensable, where actual results 
can be seen. Literature, as a supplementary factor, is of undoubted 
value, but too much reliance should not be placed on this feature 
during the initial stage of conversion. 
REFERENCES 
. BERKELEY, M. J., Journ. Hort. Soc., vol. i. 1846, p. 25. 
SmitH, WORTHINGTON G., ‘‘ Diseases of Field and Garden Crops,” 1884, p. 83. 
. SMITH, WORTHINGTON G., Joc. cit. p. 182. 
. SMITH, WORTHINGTON G., Gard. Chronicle, Jan. 26, 1894, p. 120. 
Eriksson, JAKos, ‘‘A General Review of the Principal Results of Swedish Research 
into Grain Rust,” Transl. in Bot. Gaz. vol. xxv. 1898, p. 26. 
6. Eriksson, JAKOB, ‘‘ Die Getreideroste, ihre Geschichte und Natur, sowie Massregelen 
gegen dieselben.” Stockholm, 1896. 
7. Boutry, H. L., ‘‘Some Observations bearing upon the Symbiotic Mycoplasm Theory 
of Grain Rusts,” Proc. Americ. Assoc. Adv. Sct. 1898, p. 408. 
8. McAupine, D., Agric. Gaz. N.S. Wales, vol. ix. 1898, p. 1422. 
9. MassEn, Geo., ‘‘ A Text-Book of Plant Diseases,” p. 25, 1899. 
10. CoLLENETTE, A., Journ. Hort. Soc., vol. xix. 1895, p. 13. 
11. Botiry, H. L., North Dakota Station Bull., No. 27. 
12. Errxsson, JAKoB, Comptes Rendus Acad. Sci. Paris, 1897, p. 476. 
13. Year-Book Dept. Agric., U.S.A., 1898, p. 261. 
14. Year-Book Dept. Agric., U.S.A., 1898, p. 652. 
15. Zeitschr. fiir Phlanzenkrankheiten, 1893. 
OU oo LO HH 
THE HERBARIUM, 
RoyaL GARDENS, Krw. 
