PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS. 19 
help to retain moisture in the deeper layers. This is de- 
pendent entirely upon physical laws, more especially in 
connection with capillary attraction. The advantages de- 
rived from this method of agriculture might have been 
achieved many years earlier had the attention of some 
physicist of ability been directed to the problem besetting 
the agriculturist in dry countries, and had he set to work 
then to think out some practical method for conserving the 
moisture of the soil. There must be very many other pur- 
suits in which the trained mind, if the owner has the 
ability, may be able to revolutionise our processes, if his 
attention were only brought to bear upon the _ require- 
ments. Obviously we need some machinery to enable this 
to be carried out.. We want, in fact, two different types 
of people—one mental type to go round and see what 
seems to be required, and another mental type to advise 
on and tackle the problems presented by the first. 
Highest of all the scientific grades, and often combined 
with the last mentioned, is that which can undertake 
original research and investigation, materially forwarding 
scientific knowledge by opening up new fields and making 
new discoveries. This type differs essentially from the 
plodder of infinite pains who, after much travail, brings 
forth in a mass of detail some small item of advance, and 
is best illustrated by brilliant investigators, such as Lord 
Kelvin, Lister and Pasteur, who, apparently almost with- 
out effort, have been able to grasp and crystallise from the 
Unknown ideas, thoughts and facts revolutionising the 
world. 
From the foregoing it is clear that men of the last type 
are born and not made, and are of the greatest value by 
far to the community. They should be sought after dili- 
gently, and, when found, given free scope. in whatever 
direction may seem to them best. The grade below this is 
