The Present Status op Plant Pathology. 



207 



they are often carried on do not yield the results that they should. 

 There are several reasons for this. There is usually a lack of 

 thorough fundamental training. The best training would be 

 acquired by the pursuit of a broad fundamental course of study, 

 in which the ability to think was inculcated rather than the 

 ability to heap up facts and store them away in the memory. 

 Following this should come more special work along the line of 

 pathology . nd its related problems." "The study of chemistry 

 and physics, especially the former, should form a large part of 

 the fundamental training. No other introductory subject can 

 play so large a part in the success of any biological science as 

 chemistry properly studied." 



"The majority of workers are sufficiently endowed with the 

 the necessary personal characteristics as perseverance, definite 

 system, etc., but the most serious lack comes in rega d to funda- 

 mental rather than superficial ideas, clear thinking, critical 

 judgment and philosophical habits of mind." "Some of these 

 qualities are hereditary, while others can in a measure be ac- 

 quired." "A great many persons who come nominally to patho- 

 logical work for results, have received no effective training for 

 this work and the general standing of plant pathology suffers as 

 a consequence of this incomplete training." "Much good work 

 has been done and for lack of perseverance and patience has been 

 lost." "Some pathologists believe that the subject is in a rut. 

 Investigators have gone forward on certain fixed lines and have 

 departed very little from these." This can be easily remedied 

 for the reason that every problem that comes up has its individ- 

 ual peculiarities and these must be studied as they are rather 

 than as something else has been. The fact is sometimes lost 

 sight of that nature is limitless and the human mind is limited. 

 However, if the pathologist has the proper training and the 

 necessary capacity for pathological research most of the obvious 

 defects of pathological work as hitherto developed, will disap- 

 pear. 



In attempting to discuss general cooperation we face a pe- 

 culiar state of affairs. This is the "seamy" side. "General 

 cooperation might be of value but from experience not practi- 

 cable." "General cooperation might bring about results were 

 it not for the regrettable matter of personal jealousy which 



