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Botany in England : A Reply . 
discharge professorial functions it must be at the sacrifice of some 
of the duties which he at present performs. This is very true. 
But it was one of my points that much of the routine work which 
falls to his lot is within the capacity of subordinates. You want 
two classes in a Herbarium : the scientific workers who would really 
advance the subject, and subordinates who would carry on a great 
deal of the routine work. The former would be free not merely to 
write monographs, &c., along the accustomed lines, but also to open 
up new lines of attack on old problems. If ever there was a time 
when the future of Systematic Botany was full of promise, it should 
be the present. The perfecting of cytological and anatomical 
technique and the improvement in breeding methods place new 
implements at its disposal for broadening and deepening its work. 
Botanists should pull together with a view to so modifying the 
system that we in this country may take our proper place in the 
general advance. If we look abroad to centres of activity in 
systematic work, I think we shall find the relation between the 
University, the Herbarium, and the Garden, to be an important 
factor in the case. 
When Mr. Britten says I would have Botany the sole possession 
of the Schools, he falls into error. He depicts me as one who would 
lock the door and have a bonfire. His readers may rest assured 
that the unique and precious collections of our Herbaria will suffer 
no hurt should “men of my stamp” ever get a finger in the pie ; nor 
would the interests of the various classes who consult them be 
prejudiced. Possibly Mr. Britten has allowed himself to be misled 
by a too literal interpretation of figures somewhat incautiously 
employed. My meaning was this: We must not be afraid to go 
ahead and if necessary modify the line of attack on systematic 
problems, even if by so doing our present collections should cease 
to hold the same relative scientific value that they noware supposed 
to possess. They will always retain their interest; whilst their 
historic value will ensure their being cherished. 
To read his words one might suppose violent annexation of the 
Herbaria and their custodians had been advocated. But if Mr. 
Britten will turn to my Address he will find nothing more revolutionary 
than a proposal for a working arrangement. 
These things, alas, are not burning questions—like District 
Railway Fares and The Times Book Club. Some day let us hope a 
Minister will arise ; one who both sees and cares. The re-adjustment 
will be effected without a revolution and the only wonder will be 
that we remained so long on the old lines. 
