236 SECTIONAL ADDRESSES 



their prime. But an enlightened poHcy of such control of national 

 reserves and all that this implies will only be possible if the rising genera- 

 tion has been inculcated into a biological mode of thought. So, too, the 

 preservation of our insect and bird fauna and of our fungal flora demands 

 a considered policy with respect to continuity in the supply of decaying 

 and fallen timber, which as I am personally aware the guardians of some 

 areas find to be a hard saying. 



Mr. Ramsbottom, in his Presidential Address last year, admirably 

 emphasised the practical importance of the study of mycology, the many 

 ways in which fungi play an important part in industry and everyday life. 

 The importance of algas in relation to our fisheries has been revealed by 

 the investigations carried out in the Marine Biological Station at Plymouth, 

 whilst the Fresh Water Station of Windermere is rapidly increasing our 

 knowledge of the role of algag in relation both to fresh water fisheries and 

 to water supply. The practical value of genetics and plant breeding in 

 the production of better and more disease resistant strains is so obvious 

 as to need no emphasis. Indeed it is probably true to say that no branch 

 of botany could be cited that has not its important practical applications. 

 Botany needs no defence in respect to the practical utility of its pursuit, 

 although it is probably true to say that the majority of those who reap 

 the benefits of its achievements are unmindful of their source. But it is, 

 I feel, the contribution that botanical knowledge can make towards general 

 culture and spiritual contentment that is its chief claim to rank high in 

 our educational scheme. 



For the future I venture to suggest that it is not so much the paucity 

 of data that needs to be made good, as the failure of the botanist to take 

 his proper place as a man of affairs. We have been too content in the past 

 to pursue the pleasant paths of pure science, heedless of the implications 

 of our results, with the outcome that our subject has not received the 

 measure of moral and financial support that its value to the community 

 would justify. 



In no direction is research more needed that in a detailed knowledge of 

 the autocology and biology of our commonly cultivated species, yet, as 

 I have pointed out in The Living Garden, there are several respects in 

 which our knowledge urgently needs augmenting. But until the number 

 of posts, other than teaching posts, open to botanists is increased so that 

 a research worker in this field has an assurance of a competence and 

 reasonable prospects if he proves efficient, the number of first-class 

 botanical investigators will remain few and many of the best brains who 

 might be attracted to it will continue from sheer force of circumstance to 

 adopt other and more lucrative professions. 



A sympathetic understanding of botanical thought and progress is 

 essential to a community which is to deal adequately with such national 

 problems as agricultural policy, land utilisation, afforestation, drainage 

 and water supply, the preservation of rural areas or the provision of 

 national parks. Only on the foundation of a knowledge of plant life and 

 its requirements can an educated public opinion be built up that will 

 receive and give effect to well-considered legislative action. Moreover, 

 it is perhaps truer of these pressing questions than of most that a sym- 

 pathetic and informed public opinion is essential to the continued effective 

 operation of any policy however well conceived and enlightened. 



