46 International Agricultural Institute 



its ambitions in proportion to the restricted means at its dis- 

 posal. Not to court failure by attempting too much — that is 

 the lesson to Be learnt. 



It will be wise and prudent, in carrying out its extensive, 

 though limited scheme, to refrain from broaching simul- 

 taneously all the subjects which it includes. A small but 

 well-cultivated garden is of more value than a barren estate; 

 and, for the cultivation of its large domains, the Institute still 

 lacks capital, labour and material. 



My advice will be quite clear to those who remember, at 

 the inauguration of the Institute, the words which I now 

 repeat : — let us be modest and let us work. 



Let us make a judicious selection among the numerous 

 subjects which cannot possibly be investigated at present 

 because of the insufficient means which are available. Let 

 us compress the work ; let us begin with the most important 

 and the most pressing, so that we may obtain the most 

 practical results. 



Then, proceeding with method, regularity and sequence; 

 and when assistance from the Governments becomes more 

 regular and effective, let us widen our bounds and gradually 

 extend our work to the entire scheme designated by the 

 Convention. 



Like a child which is learning to walk, the Institute is 

 now beginning to show its strength, and, like the child, it 

 is full of assurance and hope. But it would be foolish to 

 make it bear any burden which, at present, would waste its 

 strength ; and it would be unreasonable, so soon, to expect 

 results which will come with wisdom and years. The child 

 reaches manhood before hopes are justified and realised. 

 Similarly, it is only right to allow the Institute many years 

 before the fulfilment of its aspirations, the realisation of its 

 intentions, can be expected. 



My distinguished teacher, M. Levasseur, once said to me : 

 "The compiler of statistics is not a calculating machine; he 

 must be a specialist on the subject which he is investigating ; 

 he must know it scientifically and in detail so as to be able 

 to make inquiries which are to the point, to summarise the 

 replies in logical order, to check the information, and to 

 winnow the chaff from the wheat. " 



