SCIENCE AND EDUCATION 51 
THE NEED OF A MORE GENERAL KNOWLEDGE OF 
AND TRAINING IN BOTANY 
J. H. Wuirren, Cuicaco NORMAL COLLEGE 
Recent developments in the field of botany have been so re- 
markable that botanists may justly feel proud of the 
knowledge, the great material prosperity, and the improved 
living conditions made available, by the contributions of their 
particular science. 
The subdivisions of the mother science have become so vigor- 
ous and have penetrated so far into their respective fields that 
it is impossible for the members of any one group to be 
thoroughly cognizant of the achievements of the others. There 
is, however, a common ground on which all botanists may meet. 
There is likewise a stock of knowledge which must be not only 
the possession of botanists, but which must become the inherit- 
ance of the average citizen if botany is to fulfill the important 
mission allotted to it by nature. It is chiefly in the interest of 
botanical education that I wish to speak. 
Genetics as we know it at present in its application to plants 
youngest member of the botanical family. Since its rebirth less 
than two decades ago, it has held the spotlight of the scientific 
stage, and the workers have done much to deserve the attention 
they have received. Definite methods of procedure have been 
formulated by which cultivated plants may be modified almost 
to suit the fancy of the producer. By an intelligent manipula- 
tion of the normal reproductive processes of plants, new 
varieties may be produced, desirable characters accentuated 
and objectionable qualities removed. Yet genetics, mendelian 
inheritance, and eugenics are terms which have but little vital 
significance to the vast majority of college graduates, while to 
the great rank and file of citizens educated in the public school 
they are meaningless symbols. 
All botanists know that phytopathology has passed from the 
pioneer stage. Its importance to all phases of plant production 
is now so well established that colleges and universities every- 
