434 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 193 8 



plexity of the problem, have, until recently, deterred foresters and 

 gonoticists from giving detailed thought to the wonderful and stimulat- 

 ing possibilities of specializing in this particular field of research. 



In 1924, there was no institution in the United States, and probably 

 nono in the entire world, devoted solely to the production of inherently 

 superior rapid-growing strains of forest trees. But in 1925, through 

 the extraordinary vision and foresight of James G. Eddy, a lumber- 

 man of Medina, Wash., the Institute of Forest Genetics was founded 

 at Placerville, Calif. Mr. Eddy's knowledge of the practical aspects 

 of forestry and his studies of plant-breeding achievements led him 

 to the conviction that the improvement of the wild strains of timber 

 trees is both necessary and feasible — a conviction that has since been 

 abundantly confirmed. 



Many have thought that the genetical principles of selection and 

 hybridization could be applied to forest trees, but no other American 

 took steps to actually establish an institution devoted solely to that 

 purpose. His nover-ending enthusiasm, his stimulating counsel, and 

 his personal support of the entire investigative program for the first 

 8 years, have made possible the progress that has been made. 



As the research in this virgin field has progressed, and as its aims 

 and purpose have gradually broadened to meet the needs of the nation, 

 there has been a natural and corresponding broadening of the organi- 

 zation of the Institute. In 1932 the original name, the Eddy Tree 

 Breeding Station, was changed to the Institute of Forest Genetics, 

 better to express the broad and scientific character of the investiga- 

 tions being conducted. At that time the property and control were 

 transferred to a national Board of Trustees of 18 prominent scientists 

 and business men well qualified to guide the destinies of such an insti- 

 tution. 



During 1933 and 1934 the Carnegie Institution of Washington made 

 several grants to the Institute to aid in carrying forward its protracted 

 research work. Shortly after this the United States Bureau of Plant 

 Industry, and later the Soil Conservation Service, helped substan- 

 tially in financing the investigations which have a close connection 

 with the expanding program for erosion control. The United States 

 Forest Service also assisted materially during this period. 



Another important and auspicious step in the organization of the 

 Institute took place during the latter part of 1935. As a result of the 

 efforts of the Trustees and other friends of the Institute over a period 

 of several years, the plans to join this national work for public benefit 

 with the research work of the United States Forest Service were mado 

 possible by an initial Congressional appropriation of $50,000 specifi- 

 cally for the genetical work of the Institute. Although the Institute 

 of Forest Genetics is now affiliated with the California Forest Experi- 

 ment Station of the Forest Service, the investigative work will retain 



