[faull] presidential ADDRESS 15 



phytopathological enemies in foreign countries, with seed and plant 

 introduction problems, with transportation problems, and with un- 

 intelligent opposition from the seed and nursery trades. 



That some of the most devastating diseases have been imported 

 is known to everyone. The late potato blight, and the grape mildew 

 from America to Europe, the chestnut blight and asparagus rust from 

 Asia and from Europe respectively to America are a few of many that 

 might be mentioned. These diseases have cost the countries into 

 which they have been introduced many hundreds of millions if not 

 billions of dollars. Yet at least some of the problems of exclusion are 

 capable of solution. Canada for example appears to be successfully 

 excluding the European potato canker, and has so far held at bay the 

 Australian stripe smut and "take all" of wheat (said to cost Australia 

 one-quarter of her wheat crop). International phytopathological 

 congresses have already been held and a beginning has been made on 

 the international co-operative solution of problems of world-wide 

 concern. At home better legislation, better inspection, better quaran- 

 tine, and more intelligent convinced co-operation of seedsmen and 

 nurserymen are some of the things that will be brought about in time. 



(e) Naturally, the ideal for both producer and pathologist, other 

 things being equal, is disease resistant crops. Towards this ideal 

 promising progress has been made. Thus there are practical cotton 

 wilt, cow-pea wilt, flax wilt, bean rust, asparagus rust and cabbage 

 yellows resistant varieties, products of direct efforts to produce disease 

 resistant strains. Similarly there are hopeful reports of progress from 

 time to time of experiments in breeding strains resistant to other 

 diseases. The problems confronting the breeder in such endeavours 

 are manifold, for he has to contend with biological strains of the 

 parasite, biological strains of the host, with endless complications in 

 preserving desirable qualities other than disease resistance, and after 

 the end is attained with the maintenance of a constant and abundant 

 production of the seed of the precious variety — a sine qua non condi- 

 tion of ultimate success — advance under such circumstances is bound 

 to be slow, but the attainment of the desired goal is a veritable phyto- 

 pathological triumph. 



I trust that I have made clear that the phytopathologist's menu 

 of problems is substantial, varied, and tempting; but at the same time 

 let me emphasize the fact that it is one to which only strong men will 

 do justice. I cannot refrain in this connection from expressing the 

 wish that public service in this and in other lines of scientific activity 

 may be made so attractive that the public will be assured of a choice 

 of capable men to minister to its welfare. 



. Sec. V, Sig. 2 



