PROBLEMS AND PROGRESS IN PLANT PATHOLOGY III 
simply one factor in the complex of cultural operations for the exe- 
cution of which the above departments become responsible. 
Plant disease surveys, inspection and quarantine service belong 
in still another class and deserve the attention of experts in plant 
pathology. But back of all these must stand the investigator, with 
time and faculties kept free for his fundamental work; for research is 
the most exacting of all taskmasters. While no one realizes more 
keenly than do I the present impracticability, in general, of restricting 
our responsibilities along any such clean cut lines, nevertheless I am 
convinced that it is only as we clearly define these ideals and approach 
more nearly their realization that we are to secure the best results. 
It is encouraging, therefore, that these responsibilities are being 
divided in an increasing number of state institutions and that the 
proposed reorganization in the United States Department of Agri- 
culture follows similar lines, differentiating research at least from the 
other fields of work. 
If in this overlong discussion I have taxed your patience by empha- 
sizing more the problems than the progress in plant pathology, it has 
been with a two-fold purpose. On the one hand, I have hoped thus 
to win your continued charity toward the plant pathologist, in view 
of the complexity of the problems which he must meet, administra- 
tively as well as scientifically. On the other, I have wished to urge 
your continued cooperation along the two lines: first, in training young 
men for the profession, — the best training our botanical institutions 
can give, with increasing attention to physiology; and second, in 
sharing, in the future as in the past, in the responsibility for focusing 
attention upon the fundamental problems and fixing standards by 
which rightly to measure progress toward their solution. 
University of Wisconsin. 
