76 ILLINOIS ACADEMY OF SCIENCE. 



some degree of authority, in view of the fact that the great cot- 

 ton, corn, timothy, orange and pineapple industries have, at least 

 in certain places, felt the influence of new varieties that have gone 

 out from my laboratory. I say this not to extol myself, as any man 

 in my place with my opportunity could have accomplished the 

 same results, and many would have done very much more. I say 

 it simply to lend weight to my statements before you who are 

 strangers. 



I can by no words of mine present this problem in its impor- 

 tance as I see it. In no way, probably, can my efforts stir the 

 nation to a recognition of the necessities of this case, so that 

 action will not be too long delayed. Recognizing the urgency of 

 the problem as I do, however, I would be remiss of my duty did 

 I not use such powers and gifts as have been given me to urge 

 forward a project which sooner or later will be recognized as 

 one of the keystones of the conservation movement. 



The materials for the consummation of the ideals I have pre- 

 sented are all around us. The brawn and brain for the service 

 are awaiting the opportunity. The service will be long and diffi- 

 cult, however, and the servant must live while engaged in the 

 task. Only by long consecutive years of service can the highest 

 ideals be reached. Men must consecrate their lives to this 

 achievement. The service will be pleasant, and the scientific 

 results gathered from year to year will repay the worker; but 

 means must be found to place the investigator beyond the tempta- 

 tion of other employment, as permanency of tenure in such work 

 will be of the highest importance. It is a work for the State and 

 the Nation, but I fear they will be too slow to recognize the 

 long-time requirements of the work. Political institutions demand 

 too quick results. I feel that the most hopeful method of accom- 

 plishing some of the ideals outlined is through endowed institu- 

 tions. To what more serviceable task could benefactions be 

 devoted than to the solution of such problems, and what type of 

 institution would return more credit to the donor? Institutions 

 to conduct such work could be tied up with some of our great 

 universities to establish the proper scientific relationship, and 

 should be in such close cooperation with these universities that 

 graduate students could be utilized in connection with the investi- 

 gations and trained in the service. 



In summarizing this discussion I may say that to one unftmiliar 

 with the possibilities of breeding, the outcome of such experi- 

 ments may appear doubtful. We need no lamp to guide us. 



