October, ’ 18] 
DAVIS: CO-OPERATION AMONG AGRICULTURISTS 
407 
appropriately given has been a continuous reminder to the writer in 
his entomological investigations of the error we so frequently make in 
considering our problems from the narrow angle of our own particular 
field. 
Agriculture is a study of the interrelations of all branches of agricul¬ 
ture, a complex of gigantic proportions and too great for the conception 
of a single mind. In the early days of scientific agriculture the work¬ 
ers were few and each was by necessity more or less acquainted with 
the most improved practices in all branches of agricultural work, as 
evidenced by the fact that the teacher of agriculture was frequently 
obliged to conduct classes in soils and crops, horticulture, animal 
husbandry, etc. To be sure he may have been especially interested 
in some phase of the subject, but nevertheless a general knowledge was 
essential. This plan of work has gradually changed until now we have 
the various investigations for each branch, and even these are sub¬ 
divided and thus we have specialists for the various subdivisions. For 
some years, and especially since taking up intensive studies on insect 
problems of general farm crops, the writer has recognized the need of 
cooperation and freer intercourse between the different and increas¬ 
ingly complex branches of agricultural education. We feel that there is 
no more important work than the coordination of the many farm prob¬ 
lems, and this cannot be treated as an individual problem but must 
be the combined work and ideas of complex investigations from every 
branch of the subject. Too often the entomologist in considering 
methods of control attacks the problems from the purely entomological 
standpoint, neither thinking nor apparently caring whether the sug¬ 
gestions may meet with the requirements of the approved plan of the 
agronomist, chemist or forester. Recommendations have been made 
seriously conflicting with approved farm practices which could doubt¬ 
less have been revised to meet all requirements had the author been 
familiar with approved farm methods or better, if he had consulted 
with specialists in that phase of agriculture touching on his recommen¬ 
dations. It cannot be expected that an entomologist shall be familiar 
with all developments and approved practices in agronomy, nor the 
agronomist with problems entomological; but it is possible for the 
agronomists and entomologists, plant pathologists and entomologists, 
and others to freely consult on problems which are directly or indi¬ 
rectly connected and thereby reduce to a minimum conflict in advisory 
measures. The agronomist can see points of utmost importance in 
the control of insects which might never be considered by the entomol¬ 
ogist, and the chemist would see features from his point of view which 
would be of invaluable help, and so on indefinitely, and it occurs to the 
writer that there lies within our reach a wonderful source of informa- 
