222 



Science and the Farmer. 



[June, 



history of the round-worm which causes scouring in sheep and 

 of another which lives in the intestine of fowls. It is very much 

 to he desired that something definite should he discovered in 

 regard to the lamb tapeworm, which appears so soon after birth. 

 Its life-history seems to be peculiarly difficult, and here is a case 

 where co-operation between sheep-farmer and parasitologist 

 might yield results of national value. We cannot afford to leave' 

 any important parasite in the dark. 



We have not nearly " sampled " the whole of " Agricultural 

 Research and the Farmer " ; we have not touched, for instance, 

 on the chapters dealing with fruit-growing and with dairying. 

 We hope we have said enough in our appreciation to excite some 

 interest and expectancy. Frankly we must confess to some 

 enthusiasm over this record of scientific achievement, for Wb 

 had not quite realised the cumulative effect of a multitude 

 of new researches all converging on " the relief of man's estate," 

 as Bacon phrased it. The biological control of life is here in 

 progress before our eyes ; and we submit that it should make the 

 eyes of the farmer glad. 



Here is a treasury of new knowledge and the Open Sesame is 

 half-a-crown to His Majesty's Stationery Office. We have not 

 had more interesting or more cheerful reading for many a day 

 than this story " Agricultural Research and the Farmer.' It 

 was, if an outsider may say so, a happy thought on the part of 

 the Minister of Agriculture to devise such a record, and it has 

 been accomplished by Mr. Wilkins with masterly workmanship. 

 We should like to suggest several ways in which its value might 

 .be brought home to the farmer. 



(1) We are not fond of the saying " seeing is believing," but 

 perhaps the reality of the new researches would be more widely 

 appreciated if there were more opportunities for visiting the Ex- 

 perimental Stations to see things actually happening. 



(2) Perhaps more might be made of the Shows and Con- 

 ferences, where results could be exhibited so that he who runs 

 might read. 



(3) Xo one would wish to interrupt a maker of new knowledge, 

 but there is no doubt that an address from one of the discoverers 

 about his own discoveries is very highly appreciated and r.ever 

 fails of far-reaching effect. It might not be altogether detri- 

 mental to the discoverers, themselves if such educational excur- 

 sions were less rare. We know, of course, the splendid exposi- 

 tory work of the Universities, Colleges, Stations, and County 

 Organisers, but there is incalculable value in personal contact 



