354 C. F. BACKKK 



the initial orgauization. Like Japau, we cau beuefit b}- decades of 

 the costl}' experiences of otlier nations, or we can proceed by the 

 same time-worn road, learu by the same painfiil methods, and reacli 

 a real starting point for true efficiency and greatness in our scieu- 

 tific work several decades henee. Surely here ií? a crisis m- hich should 

 cali forth the most philosophic consideration from the minds of our 

 very strongest men, and then their most euergetic action. Fortuna- 

 tely for Cuba she has prominent citizens who are iu a position to 

 lead US to profit b}^ the best in all the world, since many of them 

 have been trained in the best laboratories of all countries. 



The organization of scientific work in other countries has been 

 passing through its experimental stages in the past few decades — 

 there has been constant readjustment and reorganizatiou with all 

 the attendant loss of time, loss of outlay, and loss of effectiveness. 

 Especially in the United States have the constant changes of policy 

 and personnel been the most destructive to efficiency. The recent 

 reorganizatiou of the United States Departmeut of Agriculture 

 makes it now one of the most perfectly adj usted and efficient scien- 

 tific institutions in the world. Its cióse connection and intímate 

 cooperation with the National Museum, Fishery Commission and 

 other departments, and now with the various State institutions, are 

 especially to be commended. But the condition in the relation of 

 the sepárate States of the Union is one preeiuineutly of disorgani- 

 zation, lack of unity of purpose, and ahnost utter want of coopera- 

 tion, though the Americau Assotiation of Agí icultural Colleges and 

 Experimént Stations is a living promise of far better times to come. 

 There is no doubt but that the two most important factors in the 

 scientific work of the immediate future are to be (1) carefully 

 adj usted organization and (2) perfect cooperation, and only through 

 these will it be possible to attaiu the máximum degree of economy 

 of time, effort, and means — and more important than all — the 

 máximum degree of productive efficienc}'. 



A comprehensive plan of organization for the scientific work of 

 Cuba to be done at public expense, should not only cover all insti- 

 tutions and lines of work now under way, but all of those likely to 

 be undertaken in the next few decades, such as geological and 

 topographical surveys, fishery commission, meteorological burean, 

 national museum, etc. Here is a matter of such supreme impor- 

 tance to the future of the Island that it would ampl\' justify the 

 calling of a congress of scientific men and scholars diawn from 



