580 



SCIENCE 



[N. S. Vol. LI. No. 1328 



-wisdom to bamsh all study of tlie growing 

 and marketing of tobacco because of a dis- 

 like for tbe weed and disapproval of its use; 

 but ratber for all so qualified to unite in a 

 program of research and education that will 

 conduce to the improvement of the human 

 elements involved. The preservation and 

 promotion of human health is a matter of 

 " vital " concern to every citizen, and there is 

 abundant need and opportunity for a repre- 

 sentative state scientific society to exert its 

 streng-th toward the conservation of vital 

 resoui'ces. 



It is not being urged that the academy 

 should attempt to take over the work of the 

 experiment station or of the private lab- 

 oratory. That of course would be ridiculous. 

 Eather, the academy should be a medivim 

 through which men in various parts of the 

 state and in various educational and in- 

 dustrial plants may be associated in the fur- 

 therance of needed scientific endeavor. Such 

 a medium will bring all men in touch with 

 problems of research in which they may be 

 fitted by training and location to take a part 

 in problems too large and complex and re- 

 quiring too many phases of scientific treat- 

 ment for one man to handle. We may well 

 imagine for instance that ofiicials of the 

 National Eesearch Coimcil, wishing to find 

 qualified men in certain parts of Kentucky 

 to carry on locally a certain part of some 

 large piece of research will come to the 

 Kentucky Academy for information and ad- 

 vice as to men. Such an organization should 

 be in a position through its officers and com- 

 mittees to speak with authority and convic- 

 tion upon all matters of scientific importance 

 in the state, bringing to bear upon public 

 opinion the weight of disinterested scientific 

 imity. Certainly such an active and influen- 

 tial academy would stimuate research in Ken- 

 tucky and the whole South, render valuable 

 aid in assignment of problems and the placing 

 of men, and guide public opinion into the 

 proper understanding of local scientific 

 matters. 



Our study has led us to feel a firmer faith 



in the mission of our Kentucky Academy. 

 From her modest past she may yet arise to 

 grand proportions of influence and useful- 

 ness. To that end let us adopt a program 

 commensurate with the spirit of the times. 



First, let us cooperate heartily with the 

 national bodies seeking to organize the scien- 

 tific forces of the country. 



Second, let us actively seek to extend our 

 membership to every educational and in- 

 dustrial plant in the state, and to every scien- 

 tist, and exert a scientific leadership through- 

 out the state. 



Third, let us promote the organization of 

 science clubs in our secondary schools and of 

 research clubs in various centers. 



Fourth, let us bring our influence to bear 

 upon the problem of better science teaching 

 in the high schools. 



Fifth, let us appeal to the next Legislature 

 for liberal publication funds, and to the pub- 

 lic for research funds to be used in support.of 

 local scientists. 



Sixth, let us through appropriate com- 

 mittees undertake the study of definite scien- 

 tific problems of importance to the state, and 

 promote the scientific surveys very much 

 needed. 



Seventh, fortified by' our especial studies, 

 let us plan to recommend to the next Legisla- 

 ture legislation needed for the scientific inter- 

 ests of the state. 



Eighth, let us with faith in our mission and 

 with devotion to the cause make the Ken- 

 tucky Academy of Science the most in- 

 fluential for good, the livest thing, in 

 Kentucky. 



The needs of the day call for such an ex- 

 pansion and such an increase in aggressive 

 eilort. We can not live in this good new day 

 and be content with the past achievement. 

 General Foch has said that no battle was ever 

 won by an army on the defensive. To win 

 we must be aggressive. 



Paul P. Boyd 



University of Kentucky 



