284 
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY 
[Vol. 8 
We are clearly entering a new era for scientific labors. Research has become 
the watchword of the hour and is to be encouraged more than ever before. 
In course of time it may even be acceptable and intelligent to officialdom 
for one to give his occupation as investigator and not to be obliged, as at 
present, to masquerade as a teacher, even when he does no teaching and 
possibly may not be connected with a teaching institution. It is now com- 
mendable not only to encourage the spirit of research, but to assist in pro- 
viding a general atmosphere favorable to its development. Naturally, as 
in other movements that become popular, there is sometimes more talk about 
the value and desirability of research, than actual accomplishment, or even 
hearty direct assistance in providing time and means for its prosecution. 
Nevertheless, we are likely to see the number of research centers, both great 
and small, much increased, and the ranks of those who essay the task of 
adding to available knowledge immensely augmented. 
In the re-awakening and re-orientation of the research spirit it should 
be possible to preserve and advance that fine democratic quality which 
recognizes, as we were reminded by one of our number two years ago at 
the Baltimore meeting, that ''botany is a world science and that its advance 
can not be accelerated through the usual operation of institutional or indi- 
vidual rivalries." There must be the fullest and freest cooperation between 
institutions, and quite as much between individuals, both as members of 
organizations and as independent workers. Harvey's exhortation to mutual 
consideration should find practical fulfillment, both for the good name of 
the profession and for the efficiency of its labors. 
While I am pleading for individual freedom and encouragement against 
the encroachments of the machinery of organization, I do not undervalue 
the great service and importance of associations, both those of voluntary 
combinations of individuals and those centering about institutions. I 
subscribe most heartily to the views of Mr. Frederick W. Taylor, who had 
in mind especially the research conditions in the commercial world, but 
whose words are equally applicable to things botanical, when he said: 
The time is fast going by for the great personal achievement of any one man standing 
alone; and the time is coming when all great things will be done by that type of cooperation 
in which each man performs the function for which he is best suited, yet preserves his own 
individuality and initiative and is supreme in his particular function, while controlled by 
and working harmoniously with many other men. 
These words breathe the true democratic spirit of personal freedom as 
against the bolshevistic absorption of the individual in the organization. 
In the movement for greater accomplishment by means of organization 
the class of problems which are uppermost for consideration are the economic 
ones, or those which can be justified by a direct popular or commercial 
demand. These are the ones for which money can be most readily obtained, 
and in which the largest number of persons can be interested. These are 
the ones chiefly supported by the general government, because they are 
