OHIO STATE ACADEMY OF SCIENCE. 2 
Granting that the immediate demands for it and the 
recognized value of the results of the study of fungus par- 
asites has developed the science unequally or dispropor- 
tionately in that direction recent advances have certainly 
tended in a large measure to correct this tendency. While 
we do not yet know the exact interrelations out of which 
harm results from the unlocking of oxydizing enzyms at 
unpropitious times, as is now believed to be true in yellows 
of the peach and in the mosaic disease of herbaceous plants, 
notably of tobacco, progress towards a knowledge of this 
abnormal ‘“‘stoffwechsel” has certainly been rapid and has 
apparently proceeded along safe lines. That many normal! 
processes in plants remain obscure or unsolved does not 
discourage the plant physiologist; no more should the ob- 
scurity of the abnormal deviations cause the plant pathol- 
ogist to desist from his triumphant progress. 
A prominent plant physiologist has recently asserted 
that an adequate explanation of so simple and fundamental a 
process as the ascent of sap in plants yet remains to be pro- 
posed; other problems in physiology are stated to be 
equally unsolved. In like manner the vegetable pathologist 
finds himself with respect to some of the problems of 
pathology. Unsolved problems there are, and unsolved 
problems there will remain so long as men continue yearly 
to extend the boundaries of our knowledge of plant life. 
I feel well assured that the state of our knowledge 
warrants us in recognizing plant pathology as a well estab- 
lished division of botanical science entitled to the coordinate 
rank I have earlier indicated. If this be granted then what 
reasonable grounds exist to warrant the arrangement of 
courses and the establishment of chairs of vegetable 
pathology? I think the basis of our modern education 
affords us but one answer. The state charges itself with 
educational matters in order that her citizens may be more 
useful in perpetuating the state and in contributing to its 
welfare and prosperity. The state is already demanding 
the services of those who are capable of assisting agriculture 
by controlling the diseases of culture plants; with the lapse 
