THE LOCAL PLANT DOCTOR. 31 



HOW ARE THESE EXPERTS TO BE TRAINED AND MAINTAINED? 



Not, I believe, as we now train and maintain our local physi- 

 cians and veterinarians. I think the character of the problem 

 before us, if it does not actually forbid such an economic develop- 

 ment, at least permits of a more satisfactory and rational one. 

 The primary object of the plant pathologist is to prevent diseases, 

 not to cure them. The plant doctor should be a public servant sup- 

 ported in part, at least, by the local growers. He must see, in his 

 position, the same opportunities for scientific investigation and 

 pecuniary advancement, the same chance for place and influence 

 in the agricultural affairs of the State as his colleagues in the experi- 

 ment station and colleges. In fact, I believe, he should be, in some 

 way, directly connected with such state institutions. In short, 

 the growers must meet the state at least half way in the training 

 and support of experts for the solution of their plant disease prob- 

 lems. I believe we have made some progress in this direction in 

 the State of New York. Already eight industrial fellowships have 

 been established in the Department of Plant Pathology by growers 

 and commercial firms interested along the lines of plant disease 

 control. These each provide for salary and expenses for young 

 men to take up the investigation of the diseases of certain crops or 

 particular lines of disease control, fungicides, etc. These fellow- 

 ships represent financial cooperation between the grower or manu- 

 facturer and the state, through the college which furnishes the 

 necessary laboratory equipment, training of the men, and compe- 

 tent supervision of their work. 



The work during the growing season is conducted in field labo- 

 ratories in different parts of the state where the particular disease 

 problem can be studied to best advantage in the orchard, the field, 

 the garden, or the greenhouse. The grower not only has the 

 advantage of seeing the problems solved in his own locality but has 

 the special advantages of the young plant doctor's advice and 

 supervision in his spraying and other disease control operations. 

 During the winter, the young pathologist studies at the university 

 and continues his investigations on the problems to be grappled 

 with in the field the next season. 



The result of this scheme of training and developing specialists 



