| Description | Present at the meeting: Dr C D Darlington in the chair; Mr J C F Fryer; Professor J Hammond; Dr W G Ogg; Professor D M S Watson
' A. Established subjects
1. Statistics - All biological research workers, especially those to be concerned with agriculture, should have some training in statistics. New research and teaching posts in statistics are therefore needed in several universities as new departments, or incorporated in old departments, differeng according to local circumstances
2. Physiology - Research and teaching is needed to deal with the aspects important to agriculture viz. growth, nutrition, reproduction and lactation, especially in mammals and birds.
3. Zoology - More emphasis should be placed on entomology and protozoology, and new posts are needed in these fields.
4. Geology - The Committee understands that a necessary new department is being set up in Bangor.
B. New or Combined Subjects
1. Genetics (including Cytology) - Three existing departments are inadequately financed, and the Cambridge department inadequately accommodated. New posts are needed and are being created in several universities. They should equally serve botany and zoology, agriculture and medicine. The subject should be treated as a unit. Its importance in microbiology and taxonomy should not be overlooked.
2. Microbiology - The unity of this subject also, as serving biology, agriculture and medicine, should not be overlooked. In the study of Epidemiology the special value of research in plant diseases should be turned to advantage.
3. Biochemistry - Research needs development in certain large centres, in directions helpful to agriculture ie in relation to plants, invertebrates and livestock. Two or three new centres are needed.
4. Tazonomy - Attention should be paid to the study of the principles of classification in plants and animals taking into account their genetical and biochemical foundations. New posts should be established in convenient departments, Botany, Zoology or Genetics.
5. Ecology - New developments of an integrated plant, animal and soil ecology, will be most valuable to agricultural research.
6. Geochemistry - The gap in this field needs filling in the interests of agriculture as well as other industries. A new department is needed in association with Chemistry and Mineralogy.
7. Soil Science or Pedology - This study should be established, in relation to mineralogy and geology, in two universities where agriculture is taught.
8. Meteorology and Climatology - The value of these studies to agriculture should be recognised and their development correspondingly assisted.
The above recommendations were discussed and agreed in joint meetings with the Sectional Committee for Botany, Physiology and Geology. ' |