56 REPORTS ON THE STATE OF SCIENCE.—1918 
Plant Pathology.—Report of the Committee, consisting of Pro- 
fessor M. C. Porrer (Chairman), Dr. E. N. THomas (Secre- 
tary), Professors B. T. P. Barker, Birren, and V. H. 
BuackMAN, Mr. Brieruey, Mr. F. T. Brooxs, Mr: 
Corron, Professor T. JOHNSON, Drs. F. W. KEEBLE and 
G. H. PETHYBRIDGE, Messrs. J. RAMSBoTTOM and W. ROBIN- 
son, Dr. E. J. Russexu, Mr. E. 8. Saumon, Miss A. LORRAIN 
SmirH, Dr. W. G. SmirH, Mr. H. W. T. Wacsr, and Miss 
EK. M. WAKEFIELD, upon the necessity for further provision 
for the Organisation of Research in Plant Pathology in the 
British Empire. 
Ture Committee appointed last July have met on several occasions and 
very carefully considered the position with regard to the necessity for 
'the provision of further facilities for the organisation of research in 
plant pathology in the British Empire. 
They confine their remarks in the present report to the consideration 
of conditions in Great Britain. 
They conclude that the present opportunities for training, research, 
and correlation in plant pathology are quite inadequate. 
They are of opinion that there is grave necessity (see Appendix A) 
for the provision of further facilities for the organisation of research 
in plant pathology, and that the following developments must be 
secured :— : 
1. The establishment of a central institute devoted to the study of 
plant disease, and the establishment of a laboratory for the supply of 
pure cultures.? 
N.B.—It is realised that it may not be possible, or at any rate con- 
venient, for such an Institute to attempt to cover the whole field of 
agricultural, horticultural, and arboreal plant disease. 
2. The encouragement of local Stations for the study of such aspects 
as local conditions of produce, climate, &c., make particularly possible 
or desirable (as, for instance, in fruit-growing areas, &c.). 
3. The encouragement at the Universities of instruction in the 
phenomena and underlying scientific principles of plant disease. 
4. The insistence, as far as possible, upon the study of chemistry, 
physics, and bacteriology as a necessary preliminary to training in 
plant pathology, which should be approached preferably by way of a 
degree in botany, followed by research work at an institution of experi- 
mental phyto-pathology. 
5. The production of a new publication for the inclusion of abstracts 
and research in plant pathology. 
1 The Committee is informed that there is every reason to suppose that a central 
institute is about to be established. 
