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research work suffers because of this condition. Experiments are undertaken with 

 one corps of assistants, a part of the work is done by another, and if the investigation 

 is completed at all it is after many changes have been made. If some of our larger 

 institutions would furnish more extended training in agricultural chemistry and better 

 remuneration were given assistants so as to retain their services, conditions would be 

 greatly improved. I do not consider that this lack of training of assistants is neces- 

 sarily the fault of agricultural colleges, as their courses of study have been formu- 

 lated with o$ier objects in view than the training of scientists for research work. 

 There are many interesting problems in agricultural chemistry which await investi- 

 gation, and their correct solution would be of great benefit to mankind. The field of 

 research is so large that this association can consistently encourage a larger number 

 of workers. 



In addition to the special technical training the agricultural chemist needs broad 

 equipment in other lines so that he may be able to inaugurate useful lines of research 

 and properly interpret his results. There are many chemists who are capable of 

 making accurate and rapid analyses and prosecuting routine work, but are unable to 

 outline an investigation, plan intricate details, carry the work to a satisfactory con- 

 clusion, and correctly interpret the results. There need be no fear of overcrowding 

 in the realm of agricultural chemistry or necessity for forming a trade union to regulate 

 the number practicing the profession. In this connection it is pleasing to note the 

 greater recognition that is being given the agricultural chemist. About a decade ago 

 the number of positions in this line were limited and the compensation exceedingly 

 small. While neither the number of positions nor the compensation is now particu- 

 larly large there has certainly been a material increase in both. For example, in the 

 Department of Agriculture in 1897 the maximum salary paid was $2,500 per year and 

 the average to 12 chemists was $1,541, while in 1907 the maximum salary was con- 

 siderably greater and 47 chemists received an average of nearly $2,000. On the 

 whole, however, these salaries are smaller than are paid in many of the large educa- 

 tional institutions, although the rate of increase during the past ten years has been 

 greater than in educational institutions, and if this continues the agricultural chemist 

 bids fair in the near future to receive as large a compensation as workers in other 

 lines of science. Much credit is due to our present Secretary of Agriculture for recog- 

 nizing the importance of agricultural research and having the courage to advocate 

 and recommend to Congress suitable compensation for agricultural scientists. 



The position of the agricultural chemist in both the educational and business world 

 is undergoing transition. He is being regarded as a greater factor in human and 

 industrial progress than heretofore and I believe that with each decade he may reason- 

 ably expect greater opportunity to do good work, coupled with better compensation. 

 Agricultural chemists have as a -rule been underpaid; neither have they been given 

 sufficient funds with which to prosecute their labors. In many laboratories book- 

 shelves are not filled as they should be and makeshift apparatus is employed where 

 better results could be secured if the chemist had at his command the literature 

 covering the work of others upon the subject which he is investigating, and suitable 

 apparatus and means for his work. There has been many a scientific surrender 

 because of lack of funds for effectually carrying on the work. 



As a nation we have taken great pride in the progress made by our industries, an 

 advance more rapid than that of any other country. This in a large measure has 

 been due to the work of the American chemist. There is scarcely an important 

 industry but employs a well-trained chemist and has a suitably equipped testing 

 laboratory. The steel, sugar, cement, and other great industries are practically 

 applied chemistry. It has been said that the American chemist has contributed less 

 than his quota to the advancement of science; he has, however, contributed his full 

 share to the advancement of our industries. Instead of being a devotee of pure science 

 he has advanced the domains of applied science. The agricultural chemist should 



