CONCLUDING REMARKS 609 
fact that simultaneous attack may be made in such investigations both 
against the more obvious and the more obscure questions. 
Since work of this kind requires relatively large funds and consecutive 
attention during many years, it is the kind of research which is eminently 
suited to the facilities provided by agricultural experiment. stations. 
In the present state of knowledge in genetic enquiry, investigations in 
heredity to be of value must be planned and directed by carefully trained 
men such as should make up the research staff of experiment stations. 
Undoubtedly as the need for this type of research becomes felt) more 
strongly, as it inevitably will when agricultural methods become more 
intensive, special facilities will be provided such as are particularly 
adapted to genetic research. We cannot well apply genetic principles 
to their full value before we have definite genetic knowledge. 
The Service of Genetics.—At the present time genetics can without 
question render an important service to animal breeding, for excellent 
Fig. 238.—Laboratory devoted to genetic research at the University of Illinois. 
as may be the art of the skilled practical breeder it remains a regrettable 
fact that it is neither practised nor known by the great body of practical 
breeders in this country. The great fundamental conception of genetics 
that heredity is the primary guiding hand in determining the character- 
istics of the individual, whether physical or mental, has not become a 
part of the fund of knowledge of the general public. The firmly grounded 
belief of the geneticist that the phenomena of heredity have a definite 
knowable basis are still flouted by the less informed among our practical 
brethren, not only in speech but also.in deed, for nothing is more pitiable 
than the blind hope manifested among some of them that something 
good may come out of their hit-or-miss methods of breeding. Superiority 
does not arise from inferiority in animal breeding; planless breeding 
operations are not less deplorable than lack of systematic action in any 
other department of rural activity. 
It is here indeed more than in any other fashion that genetic instruc- 
tion finds its justification.’ For as more and more men become familiar 
with the laws of heredity and by inference and example broaden the 
39 
Digitized by Microsoft® 
