REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR. 



To the President of the Cornell University ; 

 Sir: 



I have the honor herewith to transmit my third annual report, 

 together with those of the divisions of Chemistry, Botany, Ento- 

 mology, Agriculture, and Horticulture ; and also those of the 

 Treasurer and Secretary of the Cornell University Agricultural 

 Experiment Station. 



The Act of Congress, approved March 2, 1887, establishing 

 the Experiment Stations, provides, among other things, for pub- 

 lishing reports of progress from time to time. The many com- 

 munications received in regard to the history, organization, and 

 equipment of the Station, have led me to believe that a brief 

 report of progress might be of interest at this time. 



The reorganized station began its work April 30th, 1888, un- 

 der exceptionally favorable circumstances. The University had 

 already in its employ able men whose w r ork ran parallel with that 

 of the station, who had been selected on account of their known 

 success in their several specialized lines of work. By making the 

 station a department of the University, and by dividing its work 

 into appropriate divisions, the trustees were enabled at the be- 

 ginning to place at the head of each division of the station an 

 experienced and trained specialist. 



A plant, which in many lines was very extended, had already 

 been provided for giving instruction to students, and as the 

 station was established for the sole purpose of teaching, the plant 

 became largely available for conducting investigations. The 

 college was for the purpose of giving instruction to students in 

 residence ; the station for advancing knowledge and for giving 

 help to all engaged in farming, without reference to age, previous 

 training, or residence. 



The reorganized station availed itself of a fully equipped 

 chemical laboratory, provided for its exclusive use, and many 

 lines of experimental work already begun. The professors who 



