LXXVI REPORT OF THP: SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 



The future success of the Department will depend in hirge measure 

 on each man being made to feel a personal responsibility as to the 

 details of his work, and at the same time that he must lend his full 

 support to matters of general policy which concern the Division of 

 which he is a member and the Department as a whole. The broader 

 plan, and one which it seems perfectly feasible to carry out, has for 

 its object the arrangement of the work in such a close cooperative way 

 as to bring the strongest support from every Division interested. 

 Aside from the mere question of close cooperation and the possibility 

 of undertaking many problems not feasi})le under the present plan 

 existing in the Department, the intimate relation of the various allied 

 groups will bring the investigators into more S3'mpathetic union. Such 

 a union can not help being advantageous to all concerned, and if recog- 

 nized in the proper spirit, will go far toward advancing the best inter- 

 ests of the Department. 



With a view of putting into practical operation a plan based on the 

 principles outlined, four Divisions of the Department, closeh" allied 

 by the nature of their work, have become affiliated and have perfected 

 arrangements for a close cooperation and union along the lines set 

 forth. To this association I have given the name of Office of Plant 

 Industry. 



NEED OF LABORATORY BUILDINGS. 



In my last Report an urgent request was made for new laboratory 

 buildings. It was pointed out that the Department was conducting 

 practically all of its important laboratorj^ work in rented buildings, 

 wholly inadequate for the purpose. It was further pointed out that 

 the rent and other expenses connected with these buildings cost about 

 $10,000 a .year, and that a large part of this sum would be saved if 

 proper liuildings were provided. Plans were prepared and estimates 

 obtained showing that the cost of a new fireproof structure, suitable 

 for the Department's needs, would approximate $200,000. and a clause 

 asking for this amount was submitted in my estimates to Congress. 

 The item was approved b}' the Committee on Agriculture and was 

 reported to the House, but was ruled out on a point of order. 



I have again submitted estimates for a building costing not less than 

 $200,000, and repeat my recommendation that this amount be' appro- 

 priated. The very basis of the future growth and prosperity of our 

 agricultural interests will depend upon what science is able to 

 accomplish in the way of discovering principles and applying these 

 principles in a practical manner. It seems fitting, therefore, that the 

 very best facilities be furnished for this important and far-reaching 

 work. As regards suitable laboratory buildings, the Department is 

 far behind many State institutions, and it is earnest^ hoped that this 

 difficult}' ma)" be overcome in the near future. 



