on the nitrate investigations and other problems. The high standing of its corps of chemists is well known to all members of our society.

VII. THE WAR TRADE BOARD, SHIPPING BOARD, FOOD ADMINISTRATION, TARIFF COMMISSION These important government departments all require chemists and utilize chemists in a consulting and directing capacity.

The War Trade Board has a member, Dr. Alonzo E. Taylor, who is assisted in passing upon chemical matters by Dr. A. S. Mitchell, Mr. B. M, Hendrix and Dr. R. P. Noble.

The chemical work of the Shipping Board has been under the direction of Dr. W. B. D. Penniman, who, while shutting off the importation of certain products, has helped produce excellent substitutes therefor.

The Food Administration has been guided in chemical matters chiefly by Dr. Alonzo E. Taylor and Mr. Charles W. Merrill.

The chemical work of the Tariff Commission is under the direction of Dr. Grinnell Jones, who this morning gives you a full description of the information being gathered by the Tariff Commission on chemical matters to guide it in its recommendations to Congress, both during and after the war.

Many departments of the government have been in constant communication with our allies on research and industrial chemical matters. Chemical liaison officers have been sent from the Army and Navy and some of the civilian bureaus to keep in touch with foreign development and practise, and their services have been invaluable. In this connection it should be particularly pointed out that not all of the development of chemistry in this country is our own accomplishment, for we have obtained information of the highest importance through the efforts of these liaison officers. On the other hand, chemical information of the highest importance has been sent from America to Europe.

War, the destroyer, has been on the other hand the incentive to marvelous chemical development with a speed of accomplishment incomprehensible in normal times. Discoveries

made in the search for instruments of destruction are already in use for the development of chemical industry. Many others, unpublished as yet, and to remain unpublished until the war is over, will prove of the utmost benefit to mankind. The same agencies that add to the horror of war to-day, the same reactions which are used in the development of explosives and poisonous gases, on the one hand, and in counteracting their effect, on the other, will find immediate and useful application in the years to come.

The war has been prolonged by chemistry. The German chemist apparently working for years with war in view has supplied the German armies with the means for their ruthless warfare, but the chemists of America and our Allies have met them fully in chemical development, and when the chemical story of the war is written where all can read, it will be the verdict of history that the chemists of America were not found wanting.

The chemical program of the United States Army and Navy has been at all times ahead of our trained man power and the mechanical devices necessary to apply what the chemists of America have produced.

CHARLES L. PARSONS,
Chairman of the Committee on War
Service for Chemists

SCIENTIFIC EVENTS

THE CAWTHRON INSTITUTE OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

WE learn from the New Zealand Journal of Science and Technology that at a meeting of the Cawthron trustees held on May 30, 1918, the appointment of the advisory board was confirmed for six years from the date of their appointment on September 25, 1916. The advisory board consists of Sir James G. Wilson (chairman), Professor W. B. Benham, Dr. L. Cockayne, Professor T. H. Easterfield, Dr. P. Marshall and Professor R. P. Worley.

The advisory board, in conjunction with the chairman of the trustees, is to make inquiries in regard to the appointment of a director, such director to be a chemist with biological

leanings, and to be a man of fair business ability.

It was resolved that the Cawthron trustees approach the government with a view to the appointment of two scientific investigators to operate in the Nelson District with a view to finding out the causes and cures of certain blights; and that the trustees are willing to place at the disposal of the government the sum of £1,000 per annum for a period of two years on condition that any results obtained be the joint property of the government and the Cawthron Institute.

The regulations for the Cawthron Minor Scholarship are now published, and copies may be obtained from Messrs. W. Rout and Sons (Limited), Nelson. Candidates must be British subjects, and the scholar must matriculate at a university college and study for the B.Sc. degree, and sign a declaration that he will, after graduation, accept (if offered) a Cawthron Scholarship of £150 per annum, and pursue his studies for not less than two years at the Cawthron Institute. The Minor Scholarship is of the value of £80 per annum, plus the fees for attendance at university classes up to the amount of £25 per annum. The tenure of the scholarship is for three years. Preference in the selection of a scholar shall be given (ceteris paribus) to candidates from Nelson and Marlborough. The scholarship will be awarded on the science papers of the University Scholarship Entrance Examination in not less than two nor more than three of the following subjects: Mathematics, physics, chemistry and botany. The marks obtained, together with a criticism of the work of the first three candidates in each subject, are to be forwarded to the advisory board, which shall then recommend that candidate for election who appears to give the greatest promise of being useful to the institute.

The second annual Cawthron lecture was delivered in the School of Mines, by Professor W. B. Benham, M.A., D.Sc., F.R.S., on May 30. The subject chosen was "Biology in relation to agriculture," and the lecturer devoted particular attention to the problems of fruitgrowing and the kinds of research the insti

tute should attempt. These include inquiries into the efficiency of different kinds of sprays on different kinds of trees, the most productive method of pruning, and the most suitable and economic methods of manuring. Other matters that ought to receive attention are: (1) A thorough-going soil survey-the investigation of the chemistry, physics and biology of the soil, and especially of the humus and its effect on plant-growth, of which little is as yet known; (2) an extended program of investigation of the diseases that attack our plants, and especially those that are injurious to the fruit-tree.

The lecture, together with the first annual lecture by Professor T. H. Easterfield, is to be published by the institute.

THE INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF AGRICULTURE AT ROME1

THE operations of the institute have been, of course, profoundly affected by the war. At the beginning of hostilities its very existence seemed dubious. As its vice-president, M. Louis-Dop, has pointed out in a recent report reviewing its history and progress, the question was immediately raised as to the possibility of maintaining, in a conflict which has transformed the political and economic conditions of every continent, an organization based upon the collaboration of nations, the working together of a committee representing all the powers, belligerent or neutral, and the efforts of a personnel of international composition. Notwithstanding these obstacles, the continuation of the enterprise was decided upon. Apparently it was felt that the institute had been established as a permanent institution and the suspension of its operations should be avoided if possible. More than this, it was expected that the usefulness of the institute to the world would be in many ways intensified by the war conditions.

The work of the institute has, therefore, been carried on so far as possible. No nation has abrogated the treaty, so that all are full members as before. Meetings of the permanent committees have been held regularly, and each of the bureaus has been performing its func1 From the Experiment Station Record.

tions much as in 1914, although crop reports and similar data have been withheld by the Central Powers.

The immediate result of the war upon the institute has been on the whole to increase and stimulate its activities. The need for accurate statistical data regarding the world's food supply has never been so urgent. Information as to improved farm methods and economic measures has been eagerly sought for and with more prospect than ever before of its practical utilization. As regards technical material, particular efforts have been made to render available data as to means of diminishing the impoverishment of the soil, overcoming the shortage of fertilizers and labor, and increasing the use of farm machinery. A special function has been the answering of inquiries regarding agriculture in countries whose own agricultural and statistical departments have been disorganized by the war. It is announced that these various efforts of the institute have met with unusual appreciation from the governing authorities of many nations.

The officers of the institute are also looking forward quite optimistically to the future of the institution after the war. They believe that the return of peace will bring with it vast agricultural problems of international significance, and that during the reconstruction period the institute will have a specially important function to perform. There will be a great demand for accurate information along statistical, economic and technical lines, much of it international in its scope, and for the collection and dissemination of which a central clearing-house, such as this, will have unique possibilities. The institute is already making plans for service in these directions, and more specifically in such projects as the control of locusts, the improvement of the economic status of the farmer, the establishment and development of small holdings, maritime transportation of farm products, the unification of methods for agricultural statistics, farm accounting, control of seed adulteration and concentrated feeding stuffs, and the development of rural sociology.

Despite the unexpectedly difficult problems it has encountered, the institute thus enters upon the second decade of its operations with its organization virtually intact, its publications and other lines of work going on with little interruption, and an ambitious program being formulated for the future.

THE MUSEUM OF THE UNIVERSITY OF
PENNSYLVANIA

THE University Museum has entered upon an extension of its educational features by the addition of four women to its staff for the purpose of assisting visitors. There will also be an information desk near the entrance door for the accommodation of all comers. Every day, including Sunday, there will be present a professional artist to assist students, professional or designers, who may come to the museum to seek inspiration from its many art and ethnological treasures. A new curator has been employed to assist visitors in examining the collections from Mesopotamia, Greece, Italy and Egypt. The curator of the Oriental Section and the curator of the American Section will be present at all times to assist those who desire to study these exhibits. While the University Museum has always laid stress on its educational features and it has been visited by artists and designers as well as by scholars and the public generally, the management believes the time has arrived when very special efforts should be put forth to make the museum a more integral factor in the commercial as well as the artistic and cultural life of the community. Its new assistants will devote themselves especially to this feature in the particular desire to aid those who are seeking new artistic designs. In explanation of its new work the University Museum makes the following statement:

It is realized everywhere that this war is to have a profound effect upon the artistic and cultural world. Not only has much of the accumulated artistic beauty of the world been destroyed, but many of the creators of art have lost their lives in the struggle. Reconstruction is not likely to be along the same lines as formerly, for it is certain that there will be new ideals and new inspiration growing out of this war in all countries.

Hitherto the United States has either imported artists or art, or else its people have followed rather slavishly the ideals of Europe. This is especially true in the matter of design as affecting fabries, textiles, wallpapers, furniture and decoration generally. The University Museum believes that this no longer will be the case. Even the old world nations will branch out on new lines. It would seem as if the greatest nation on earth, that which is raising the greatest army and commercial navy in the world, that which is destined to give the deathblow to the nation which is the foe of all art, the nation which has exceeded all others in invention for the material comforts of mankind, assuredly it seems that such a nation has within itself the power of creative imagination to establish its own school of independent art.

All art harks back more or less to former achievements, but the genius of a nation as of an individual is shown by the original use made of such available material. The University Museum has within its walls collections which have cost millions of dollars and which are valuable for more than their mere objective beauty or cultural qualities. They cover the whole field of civilization from the earliest dawn to the present, and practically every tribe and nation as well as every field of artistic achievement.

It is the belief of the managers of the University Museum that in its rich and rare collections of the art of the past as well as of the primitive races still existing there will be found inspiration and stimulus to aid in developing a truly American art. Without going into the larger aspects of the situation it can be said that this city which owes so much of its prosperity to manufacture of textiles, furniture, wall-papers and other decorative objects will have a wide field of opportunity before it when the war ends. The nation is building the greatest commercial fleet in the world which it announces is to be used for trade as soon as peace comes. To secure trade this nation and this city must provide the best and most beautiful of commodities or give way to other nations who will supply the demand.

There are thousands of objects in the University Museum ranging from the treasures of ancient Egypt, Crete, Persia, Greece, Italy and South America and the primitives of Oceanica from which inspiration can be drawn with excellent results. It is not presumed that there will be any lavish copying but in this wide range of objects there will be found designs or color schemes which will afford scope to the creative imagination of artists and designers.

WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY MEDICAL

GROUP

Two years ago a plot of land which approximated fifteen acres in extent, known as the Ford Estate, was purchased as a site for the new buildings of the Medical Department of Western Reserve University and for a new Lakeside Hospital, for a babies' and for a maternity hospital. It was the plan to create a group of hospital buildings combined with the medical school to make an ideal teaching plant for the teaching of medicine. This tract is situated next to the literary departments of Western Reserve University and the Case School of Applied Science. Although the war has postponed the erection of any of these buildings, Lakeside Hospital lately received some noteworthy contributions and bequests which will materially hasten the building.

By the will of the late Colonel Oliver Payne, a large and generous gift of one million dollars come to Lakeside to be used at the discretion of the trustees. By the will of the late Mr. W. S. Tyler, Cleveland, a trustee of Lakeside, a bequest of two hundred thousand dollars came to Lakeside to be used at the diserection and endowment of a maternity ward on the new site. Mr. Samuel Mather, president of Lakeside, opened the new building fund of the hospital by a gift of three hundred and fifty thousand dollars. There is also a fund held by the trustees of Lakeside for the benefit of the children's and maternity wards amounting to something over one hundred and fifty thousand dollars.

By these gifts the realization of the plans for an ideal teaching group are brought nearer.

THE NEW YORK POST-GRADUATE MEDICAL

SCHOOL

SEVEN members of the laboratory staff of the New York Post-graduate Medical School and Hospital are in government service. Ward J. MacNeal, M.D., Ph.D., professor of bacteriology and director of laboratories, is now a major in the Medical Corps and in charge of the Central Laboratory of the Medical Department, France. Richard M. Taylor, M.D., professor of pathology, now a captain in the Medical Corps, is likewise doing laboratory

work in France. Arthur N. Tasker, M.D., lecturer in tropical medicine, a lieutenant colonel in the Medical Corps, is Sanitary Inspector of the Intermediate Section, France. J. Wheeler Smith, M.D., associate in bacteriology, now a lieutenant in the Medical Corps, is doing research work with Colonel Whitmore at the Army Medical School. Anton R. Rose, Ph.D., associate in pathological chemistry, is a captain in the Food Division of the Sanitary Corps. W. L. Aycock, M.D., instructor in bacteriology, a lieutenant in the Medical Corps, is in charge of the laboratory of the U. S. Army Hospital, No. 8 (Post-graduate), France. Arley Munson, M.D., who was appointed instructor in bacteriology in Dr. Smith's place, is now with the Red Cross and bacteriologist to the Blake Hospital, Paris. Colonel J. F. Siler, a member of the Robert M. Thompson Pellagra Commission of the Laboratory of Tropical Medicine, is in charge of the Laboratory Department of the Medical Corps, American Expeditionary Forces. The laboratories of the school are now under the charge of Victor C. Myers, Ph.D., professor of pathological chemistry. During the absence of members of the regular staff, Louise H. Meeker, M.D., is instructor in pathology, Adele E. Sheplar, M.D., instructor in bacteriology, and Anne G. Dellenbaugh, B.A., instructor in bacteriology.

Emma L. Wardell, M.S., has recently resigned as assistant in pathological chemistry to become assistant professor of household economics at the University of Illinois. John A. Killian, Ph.D., has been promoted to be associate in pathological chemistry. Owing to the emergencies of the war the board of directors is admitting women, who are graduates of recognized colleges, though not graduates in medicine, to courses in the laboratories. A number of such women have already been appointed to positions in the cantonment hospital laboratories. A new course in bacteriology begins on November 1.

SCIENTIFIC NOTES AND NEWS COLONELS JAMES D. GLENMAN, William S. Thayer and John M. T. Finney have been promoted to be brigadier-generals in the Medical Corps.

To secure closer cooperation between American and British educational institutions, a mission headed by Dr. Arthur Everett Shipley, vice-chancellor of the University of Cambridge, has arrived in this country. In addition to Dr. Shipley, the zoologist, the mission includes two other men of science, Sir Henry Alexander Miers, formerly professor of mineralogy at Oxford, and Dr. John Joly, professor of geology and mineralogy in the University of Dublin.

COLONEL CHAMPE C. MCCULLOCH, JR., M.C., U. S. A., executive officer of the Board for Collecting and Preparing Material for a Medical and Surgical History of American Participation in the European War, has arrived in France, to establish his administration for this purpose. During his absence Lieutenant Colonel Casey A. Wood, M.C., U. S. A., will be in charge of this work in the Surgeon-General's Office.

PROFESSOR FREDERIC S. LEE, of Columbia University, has been sent to England and France on a special mission by the United States Public Health Service.

J. S. JONES has resigned as director and chemist of the Idaho station and professor of agricultural chemistry in the University of Idaho, and has assumed charge of the operating laboratory of one of the government nitrate plants under the Ordnance Division of the War Department.

DR. LORANDE L. WOODRUFF, professor of biol ogy in Yale University, is serving as consulting physiologist in the Chemical Warfare Service, N. A.

WILLIAM S. BACON has been promoted to be a major in the Chemical Warfare Service and is now in command of the Lakehurst Proving Ground, Lakehurst, N. J.

FRANK A. WAUGH, head of the division of horticulture and professor of landscape gardening at the Massachusetts Agricultural College, is on leave of absence to fulfil his appointment to a captaincy in the Army Sanitary Corps.

DR. H. K. BENSON, director of the Bureau of Industrial Research, University of Washing