34 International Agricultural Institute. 



new, so complex, and of such importance. Good intentions 

 and ignorance are, surely, the obvious explanation, not to 

 say excuse, for the existence of opinions which are founded 

 on insufficient, or even erroneous, knowledge. 



This memorandum has been written for the very purpose 

 of enlightening the public on this subject. It is indeed our 

 firm conviction that the critics of the Institute show a 

 legitimate desire for its success as well as sympathy and a 

 vivid interest in the institution, which, if it remain within its 

 own limits, may notably improve the economic conditions 

 in the various countries which are represented within its 

 walls. 



The public have of course a right to be clearly and 

 accurately enlightened regarding the Institute and its actual 

 and future results ; and it is with the fervent hope of satisfying 

 that wish that we are now fortunately able to give precise 

 information on the work which has been accomplished. 



The International Agricultural Institute started in the 

 month of April, 1909, a small but competent staff having been 

 selected from all parts of the world. The Institute, be it 

 noted, has now done six months' effective work only.* The 

 organisation of the administrative and technical branches took 

 place during the years 1908 and a portion of 1909. The 

 officials were appointed gradually between January and April, 

 1909. The various Departments were gradually so organised 

 as to ensure the fulfilment of duties with sequence and method. 



The composition of the staff being international, it was 

 necessary also to ensure the fusion and cohesion of various 

 efforts, energies, and faculties, which, however excellent 

 individually, lacked, as a whole, the moral and technical 

 uniformity which is necessary for the success of a complicated 

 undertaking. Considerable time was, therefore, occupied in 

 the selection of the staff, in the methodical arrangement of 

 the duties, and in the preliminary examination of the work to 

 be undertaken by the Departments. All this intricate 

 arrangement and adaptation was quickly done, thanks to the 

 excellent spirit shown by the new officials without exception. 

 Their devotion and competence will enable the Institute, when 

 the General Assembly meets in a few days,* to fulfil the 



* Written in November, 1909. 



