40 REPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. 



systems and in developing the institute work on a more rational and 

 permanent basis. It has helped to conduct several schools for insti- 

 tute Avorkcrs. Plans have been made for extending this feature of 

 institute work and for inaugurating movable schools for farmers. 



The work of the stations in Alaska, Hawaii, and Porto Rico has 

 been successfully carried on and in several ways considerably ex- 

 tended by the special agents in charge. In Alaska some work in 

 horticulture has been started at Sitka, and in animal iiusbandry and 

 dairying at Kenai. In Hawaii special attention has been given to 

 grasses and forage plants, coffee, and cane diseases, and tobacco. 

 In Porto Kico good results have been obtained in the culture of 

 coffee, and some work with rice and domestic animals has been 

 undertaken. 



The nutrition investigations of the Office are becoming increas- 

 ingly important, and their results are given wider practical appli- 

 cation in preparing dietaries for public institutions and courses in 

 household science for schools and colleges. Since definite knowledge 

 of the iDrinciples of nutrition is fundamental to the health and 

 happiness of all, there is need not only for a continuation of thorough 

 investigations, but also for a much wider dissemination of the results 

 alread}' obtained, and plans to secure this are being made. The 

 Irrigation and Drainage Investigations of this Office now include the 

 investigation of all phases of rural engineering carried on by this 

 Department, except the good-roads inquiry. To the studies on irri- 

 gation and drainage have recently been added investigations on 

 the application of poAver to farm work. With the rapidly changing 

 industrial conditions in this country, resulting in great scarcity of 

 farm labor, the investigation of problems relating to power machin- 

 ery, farm implements and appliances, and materials used in erecting 

 farm structures is of the greatest importance. The demands made 

 on the Office for the extension of its work in irrigation, drainage, 

 and other branches of rural engineering are greater than can be met 

 at present, despite the fact that considerable financial aid has been 

 given to this work by States and private organizations. A part of 

 the exhibit of this Office in the Government building at the Louisiana 

 Purchase Exposition Avas shipped to Portland, Oreg., and exhibited 

 in the Government building at the I^ewis and Clark Exposition. 



LINES OF WORK. 



The Avork of the Office of Experiment Stations during the past 

 year, as heretofore, has included the supervision of the exjienditures 

 of the stations; conferences and correspondence with station officers 

 regarding the management, equipment, and work of the stations; the 

 collection and dissemination of information regarding the progress 

 of agricultural education and research throughout the world .by 



