492 TRANSACTIONS OP SECTION K. 



{b) More frequent meetings at which breeders and growers would have 

 an opportunity of meeting and of seeing exhibits or hearing dis- 

 cussions. 



2. The publication in easily accessible form of 



(a) A record of the literature of genetics. 



(6) Abstracts of the more important papers. 

 In regard to a record, a start might be made by the immediate preparation 

 of a bibliography, to include the period from 1,900 until the present time. 

 Henceforward a number might be issued annually — a Year-Book of Genetics — 

 containing the author's name and the title and place of publication of all papers 

 on the subject, with (or without) an abstract or brief statement of the line of 

 work. At intervals, e.g. every tenth year, a volume might be issued in which 

 the conlents of the ten previous Year-Books were all incorporated. In this 

 work America might be willing to co-operate, and possibly other countries. In 

 view of the practical advantages which the wider distribution of a knowledge of 

 the results of experimental breeding would ensure the Board of Agriculture and 

 Fisheries should be approached with a view to their undertaking the publication 

 of an Annual Supplement to the Journal of the Board of Agriculture, con- 

 taining an abstract or short account of the more important papers on the 

 subject of genetics. Possibly co-operation might be arranged between the Board 

 and the Royal Horticultural Society so that the work could be shared and the 

 information be put in the hands of readers of both the Horticultural and the 

 Agricultural Journals. 



3. The formation of a Sub-Section Genetics in connection with Sections 



D, K, and M. 



Professor B.\teson supported the first proposal. As a preliminary step the 

 Board of Agriculture might be asked to call together representatives of the 

 trades concerned, with a view to the creation of a permanent organisation. 

 This suggestion had been made by Mr. A. D. Hall, of the Development Com- 

 mission, who had experience of similar cases. Such an organisation would facili- 

 tate the application of science at large. These things could not be forced down 

 people's throats, and till the need for scientific aid were felt by the practical 

 men nothing could be done. In the interests of the science it was certainly 

 desirable that a Genetics Society should be created, if only to promote inter- 

 communication between the workers in this country. The Society would also 

 aid in the direction of Miss Saunders' fir.st proposal. As to her second sugges- 

 tion he was more doubtful. A bibliogTaphy of genetic work would be of little 

 use to practical men. It would be a laborious undertaking; and, moreover, at 

 tlie present time the bibliographies published by the Zeitschr. f. Vererbungslelire 

 and by the Zeitschr. f. Pfiunzenziichtung provided all that was required by 

 scientific workers. 



Professor Bower and Professor Seward supported the proposal to form a 

 Sub-section Genetics in connection with Sections D, K, and M. Professor 

 Bower considered that the proposal might even have been extended and a 

 recommendation made to constitute Genetics a Section instead of a Sub-section. 



Professor Weiss said that he doubted whether this proposal would have the 

 desired effect of inducing the local commercial man to attend the meetings. 

 He thought that the ordinary type of paper read at the British Association 

 meeting would not attract these men, and that they would not be disposed to 

 pay the membership subscription. He suggested instead that a Conference on 

 Genetics might be held on a particular day during the meeting to which such 

 individuals should be invited as delegates, at which suitable papers, dis- 

 cussions, or exhibits might be arranged. 



Mr. A. M. Smith said that so far as his experience went he thought farmers 

 were quite ready to apply new methods when these were pointed out to them, 

 and that the outlook was perhaps more hopeful than some speakers had indicated. 



The President, in closing the discussion, suggested the formation of a 

 Committee to consider further the proposals which they had had before them, and 

 take such steps as it might decide upon to carry them into effect. 



[A Joint Committee of Sections D, K, and M has been approved.] 



