336 



Miscellaneous. 



of education and its broadening influence, which has spread by contact to people 

 of all classes ; but nevertheless a large body of people continue to distinguish 

 between what to them is theoretical or pure science, and what is applied science. 

 To such, Doctor Jordan's estimate of the value of science that it " lies in its relation 

 to human conduct," and the value of knowledge that it " lies in the use we can 

 make of it," will come as a vindication of a possibly unformulated conviction. 

 As a matter of fact, institutions of research supported by public funds have gained 

 popular support largely because they succeeded in devising helps in economic and 

 utilitarian affairs. 



The public expectations of practical results vary somewhat with the 

 character of the investigation and of the institution. In the case of agricultural 

 investigation the expectations have come to run very high, largely as a result of past 

 experience and the confidence which has been inspired in this line of work. The 

 experiment station is an institution for investigation in science as applied to 

 agriculture. It is regarded as a utilitarian institution. Its purpose is the attain- 

 ment of results which will have a direct application to one of our fundamental 

 industries — direct in the sense that the gulf which often intervenes between abstract 

 research and its application will be bridged over. 



Definite practical knowledge is at a higher premium than ever before. 

 The scientist who is carrying out investigations is more and more expected to 

 develop the economic relations of his work. While we are more and more patient 

 in awaiting conclusions, we expect that a definite ultimate aim will be kept 

 constantly in view, which centres about some phase of agricultural production. 

 This will constitute the real purpose of the undertaking, and will distinguish it in 

 general character from research in pure science. 



Furthermore, the final results and suggestions must not only be practical 

 in their relations, but they must be practicable as well. Certain practices which 

 might be suggested are not practicable because they cannot be fitted into farm 

 operations, which have to be governed by certain conditions of .first importance. 



The ability to see clearly the practical bearings of his work and to make 

 its application is not given to every investigator. There are still some evidences 

 of this in our experiment stations, although as a class our station workers possess 

 this ability in probably a greater degree, and are closer in their contact and 

 relations with agricultural practice, than any similar class of workers in the world. 

 The most successful of them have made a study of the farmer's methods and shown 

 a close sympathy with his needs. 



We still need in some directions more of intelligent, well-aimed investiga- 

 tion, which will be started right and pursued with a clear purpose to the very end. 

 Our work in some lines is not carefully enough planned. It is fragmentary and 

 not thorough. It needs systematizing, and to have supervision which will stimulate 

 it while giving general direction. This need is enhanced by the division of the 

 men's time between college and station duties, and the interruptions which come 

 from other causes. It is one of the arguments for a director and for a closer 

 organization. 



One of the chief criticisms made upon our experiment station work has 

 been the striving to secure practical applications too rapidly, and not giving time 

 enough for the fundamental research on which these applications must rest. It 

 has been asserted that " the proportion of applied science in agriculture is too 

 great in this country," and that " while we do not need fewer workers in applied 

 agricultural science, we do need more workers who would devote themselves to 

 fundamental research "—with an outlook to practical agriculture, doubtless. 



