International Agricultural Institute. 



33 



These observations indicate that the organisation and 

 administration of the Institute are an object lesson illustrating 

 the application of the maxim "practice with science." The 

 Permanent Committee has endeavoured to give a solid basis 

 of scientific accuracy to the practical side, and the results will 

 show how far it has succeeded. 



The Results Obtained. 



The International Agricultural Institute, limiting its action 

 to the duties imposed by the Convention of 1905, and by 

 bringing practice and science into happy association, is now 

 in a position to obtain accurate data for Governments and 

 agriculturists. The extent to which this information is obtain- 

 able will now be considered. 



Doubts have been raised in various quarters whether the 

 Institute will be able to do anything which is of practical 

 or scientific value. More pessimistic persons have even 

 insinuated that this is to be expected because the Institute, 

 after an existence of four years, has indicated its existence 

 merely by means of meetings where some mysterious project 

 has been elaborated with a view to upset the economic con- 

 ditions of the world. More generous, but more impatient, 

 souls have taunted it with failure to revolutionise trade and 

 agriculture ; and certain economists, looking hurriedly at the 

 dark side of the picture, have already expressed the opinion 

 that the whole structure must be reconstructed on a new basis 

 and by other methods. 



This criticism is generally the result of opinions too hastily 

 formed and of a total ignorance of the character of the 

 [Institute. 



Anyone who wishes to study impartially the results actually 

 obtained or those to be realised must really consider the limits 

 indicated by the Convention of 1905, and that beyond those 

 limits the Institute cannot go without risk of having the 

 Convention denounced. 



After reading certain criticisms received at the Institute, 

 it is impossible to avoid being impressed by the misconception 

 which exists regarding the various technical difficulties 

 inherent to the administration of an institution which is so 



c 



