PREFACE vii 



investigation. Since these Stations and Laboratories are, as a rule, main- 

 tained by the circle of practical men for whom they work, the investigators 

 appointed thereto are often subjected to regrettable pressure. Even 

 though, otherwise, a certain amount of freedom is allowed them in these 

 institutions, they labour under the great difficulty of being obliged whilst 

 engaged in the task of scientific investigation to be ready at any moment 

 to give assistance coupled with analyses and any wished-for disclosures 

 to the parties interested. Still further difficulties arise when practical 

 men foolishly intermeddle in scientific investigations, and especially when 

 results that shall be immediately available for practical utilisation are 

 impatiently demanded results which, however, are only attainable by 

 scientific investigation, and cannot be forced on at pleasure. 



Under circumstances of this nature it requires great strength of 

 character not to give way to outside pressure, and many examples are 

 met with in the literature of the subject where this firmness has been 

 lacking. 



The result of these vexed relations between Scientists and practical 

 men has been to call into existence a quasi-scientific literature by which 

 neither Science nor Practice has benefited a result which every one who 

 has the healthy development of this subject at heart must greatly deplore 

 and endeavour to improve according to his ability. These conditions are, 

 however, in existence, and we must take them into account. Amongst the 

 chaff which occupies a large part of the aforesaid technical journals, there 

 is, nevertheless, some really good grain to be found, and he who undertakes 

 to write a work on Technical Mycology must not content himself with 

 gathering from purely scientific sources alone, but must, at the same time, 

 work through the technical journals as well. This (by no means easy) task 

 has been accomplished by DR. LAFAR with commendable discernment and 

 ability. 



In the last few years, certainly, we have had various Text-books and 

 Manuals giving a summary of larger or smaller sections t of Technical 

 Microbiology ; none of them, however, has treated the whole of this exten- 

 sive field from so comprehensive a point of view. To prepare a work like 

 the present requires not only many-sided discernment, but also enthusiasm 

 for the task, combined with courage and endurance properties with which 

 the book shows the author to be endowed. The work will be welcomed, 

 not only by those for whom it is primarily intended viz., Technical 

 Chemists, Chemists dealing with food-stuffs, fermentation, and agriculture, 



