When I chose this subject I had no ambition to shoulder the burden of a critical survey of argicultural economics today - 45 years after the founding of our Association. Others have found that such an undertaking requires an extensive committee, large funds, and years of work. Nor was I prompted by misgivings about our profession’s performance in the pursuit of truth or the services it renders. Repeatedly, in recent years, I have seen the work done by American and Canadian agricultural economists from observation points in other parts of the world. I am the more profoundly impressed by what has been achieved within one generation, how much is going on, and how much better public service may confidently be expected in coming years.