Graduation Address

"Praise Given Plant-Breeding By Dominion Cerealist Who Received Honorary Degree" The Daily Gleaner (16 July 1936): 6.

Dr. Newman in part spoke as follows:

I need hardly say that I appreciate very deeply and sincerely the very great honor done me to-day. Especially is this the case when I think of the history and the traditions of this fine old University of New Brunswick and when I recall the outstanding contributions made by many of her sons and daughters in the realms of science, literature and art.

The present occasion will always be a memorable one to me, not especially because of the kind references made to my own feeble efforts, but more particularly because of the extent to which it recognizes the work of that young but ardent group of scientists which is devoting its energies to problems which we designate collectively as agriculture. While there probably is no field of scientific effort which has been more economically fruitful in recent years, there is none I think, in which progress has been more feebly recognized, nor whose economic value has been so short-sightedly underrated. Adjustments in monetary abnormalities or in fiscal policies may produce beneficial effects at least temporarily. But the application of scientific discoveries is likely to prove more permanently effective in connection with many problems such as in reducing the cost of production, transport or distribution--without human injustice.

Science frequently is held responsible for the world's present ills such as unemployment caused by ultramechanization. but it would seem that these so-called evil effects are actually the result of a lack of balance of lop-sidedness of inadequate comprehension. These can only be countered and the amazing discoveries harnessed for the enrichment and happiness of man, by the amplification of science, by its complimentary augmentation.

The forward march of science is as inevitable as it is desirable. But it must be amplified and co-ordinated, for upon this depends the salvation of the present creaky structure of civilization. And this leads me to a very brief consideration of only one of the numerous fields of science which has a very direct bearing upon the welfare of our people, namely, the science of Plant Breeding.

Those who are familiar with the main principles upon which are based the methods now employed in the developing of more desirable varieties of grain, more satisfying and hardy types of apples, and more beautiful and varied types of flowers, will recall the amazing progress which has been made in man's understanding of plant-life within recent times.

While numerous theories attempting to explain the origin and development of new forms have been advanced since the days of the Early Greeks, it remained Charles Darwin first to develop a well-rounded theory which he called "The theory of natural selection." You will recall incidentally the profound effect produced by this theory in certain circles to which it was perhaps unwisely extended.

The second, and undoubtedly the greatest impulse to further investigation within the realm of biological science, was provided by the rediscovery and confirmation in 1900 of the epoch-making principles of heredity annunciated by the Austrian Monk, Gregor Mendel, followed, in the same year, by the theory of mutation, propounded by Vrees of Holland and three years later, by the pure line theory of Johannsen of Denmark.

While important researches especially in the field of genetics within more recent years have made for a clearer  understanding of first principles and often have enabled the breeder to take short cuts in reaching his objective, the real foundation for our modern methods of plant breeding was based upon the outstanding contribution made just at the turn of the century, by the men to whom I have just referred.

I refer to these things now in order to emphasize what already is known to many who are here to-day, namely that the contributions made by our plant breeders to date are not the result of mere accident or chance, but are the outcome of an orderly plan, based upon proven biological principles. They are given the country in return for the training, which institutions such as this have provided.

The significance to Canada of the work being done by our plant breeders, is, I fear, not very fully appreciated. This, of course, is quite natural in view of the number of years required to develop, perfect, and test new creations.

Furthermore, the latter are not ushered in with any blast of trumpets or other indication of the importance of the event. Rather do they make their appearance gradually, quietly and without ostentation. As a rule it is only after they have been in cultivation for several years, or following some unusual occurrence that they value of these things becomes fully realized. A good illustration of this is provided by the introduction of the world-famous Marquis wheat, some twenty-five years ago.

It was not until after Seager Wheeler of Saskatchewan won the prize of $1,000 in gold offered by Sir Thomas Shaughnessy, then President of the C.P.R., for the best 100 lbs. of hard red spring wheat, produced in any country, that this remarkable new wheat became known. Similarly the real value to western Canada of our new rust-resistant wheats remained a sealed book to most people until the devastating epidemic of wheat stem rust of 1935 revealed the ability of these wheats to withstand the disease and to produce a normal crop of normal quality.

Even the far-reaching significance of the introduction of such early ripening varieties of wheat as Reward Garnet and Bobs was not recognized generally until the severe frost of August 20, 1928, ruined the crops of hundreds of farmers who had clung to varieties requiring a longer period to reach maturity.

I mention wheat particularly because it has been upon this great cereal that the prosperity of the Dominion has been so largely built. I also refer especially to wheat at this time because of the frequent criticism that we already have too much wheat. I do not presume to be able to answer this criticism but I do say without fear of contradiction that if the growers of wheat in our great producing centres of the west are going to grow wheat profitably, they must use the best adapted varieties and use every other means at their disposal to produce the most per acre, whether they grow 50 acres or 5,000 acres. In other words the future of this country is going to depend to an extent greater than we realize, upon our ability to produce wheat cheaply, and in this the plant breeder is destined to play an important part.

Time will not permit more than a passing reference to the splendid contributions made by the breeders of superior varieties of horticultural and forage crops, although these are of particular interest to the people of the Maritime Provinces. While the scientific breeding of better hay and pasture types is only in its infancy, enormous strides have been made in this field, if we are to judge by the number and character of new types at present under test at our Experimental Stations at Fredericton, Nappan, Kentville and Charlottetown. The early introduction of certain of these new types many mean much to this important section of the Dominion.

It is interesting to note that this year at least four different countries are celebrating the 50th anniversary of an event regarded as of district national importance. In Australia they are celebrating the beginning of the work of that remarkable man Farrar, who gave up his position as chief Wrangler at Oxford, to become Australia's foremost wheat breeder. Farrar rendered an enormously important service to Australia and laid the foundations for the splendid wheat breeding programme now in effect in that country.

On August 11th and 12th next, a special convocation is being held at the University of Lund, Sweden, for the purpose of commemorating the 50th anniversary of the establishing of the world-famous plant breeding institution at Svalof. On this occasion a number of persons including a few foreigners who have contributed to the success of that splendid institution are to be honored.

In the neighboring country of Denmark, the year 1886 is referred to as the year in which was laid the foundation upon which was built the plant breeding organization of that country, as we know it to-day.

On June 6th last, there was celebrated at Ottawa the 50th anniversary of the establishing of the Dominion Experimental Farm System, which system was to include among its leading activities the developing better varieties of cultivated grains, fruits and other crops for the people of Canada. This Dominion-wide organization, represented by the Experimental Stations at Fredericton, Nappan, Kentville and Charlottetown and by twenty other branch stations and many stations scattered throughout the other provinces of the Dominion, works in the closest harmony with Provincial universities and colleges and with such important organizations as the Canada Seed Growers Association which held its annual convention in Fredericton last week. this unique arrangement has been made possible and workable to a very large extent as a result of the leadership and fine spirit of comradeship provided by the Canadian Society of Technical Agriculturists now in convention assembled.

It is interesting to look back over the years of Louis Hebert, Canada's first real farmer, or even to the days when John Young, writing over the name of "Agricola" about 1818, sought to stimulate a greater interest in soils and crops, and compare the types and varieties of plants we have now, with those which are said to have been grown in those distant days. Perhaps the types they had at that time were reasonably satisfactory as they did not require any adaptation.

NOTE: Leonard Newman's full address was titled "The Science of Plant Breeding and Its Significance to Canada."