'.NN^ 



A FORTNIGHTLY REVIEW ^,„>,«, 



OF THE ^tW V«KH 



IMPERIAL DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR THE WEST INDIES. "'"'"'Zl" 



Vol. XV. No. 379. 



BARBADOS, NOVEMBER 4, 1916. 



Price Id, 



The Experiment Station Worker. 



'FEW 3'ears ago, when visiting some oi the 

 J Agricultural Experinicut Stations in the 

 [United States, a distinguished agricultural 

 scientist from England was impressed more than anj- 

 thing else with the energy and ability with which the 

 American Experiment Station workers get over the 

 farmers' difficulties: In s<imc instances the results of 

 research were considered open to 'criticism; but the 

 energetic methods of attacking and getting over, or 

 else around the farmer's practical problems were 

 viewed with unqualified .-idmiraticn. 



Something of the spirit and atmosphere dominating 

 this work is well brought out in an editorial in the 



Experiment Station Record* issued by the States 

 Pielations Service of the United States Department- 

 The article describes the thoughts and impressions 

 produced during an official tour of inspecDion, in the 

 States of the South <ind West^ 



' No one can come into personal contact with the 

 station workers on the field of their activity without 

 being impressed with their zeal and industry. They 

 are an unusually busy group of men, keen and alert, 

 and with a zealous interest in the problems of the 

 region which is blind to personal hardship or self- 

 sacrifice. There is something remarkably fine in the 

 spirit of the service, of accomplishment, which ties 

 these men to their field, particularly in the newer 

 country where the appeal seems especially strong.' 



Accompanying the investigation and extension 

 work of the service is a considerable amount of teach- 

 ing, and the article goes on to say that workers often 

 find themselves loaded with more work than they 

 Gan prosecute as they would like to, and are led by 

 their enthusiasm to work ' under unustially high 

 pressure. In such cases workers need protection from 

 themselves and their friends. 



Sometimes station workers need protection in 

 other directions, namely, against untiiir critics and 

 unknowing or self-seeking factions. A hostile attitude 

 is sometimes directed against the station as an organiz- 

 ation, but more often against an individual member, 

 especially the director. Fortunately, it is added, the 

 position of director has been almost entirely divorced 



* Vol. :35, No. 1. .lulv I'.tK;. 



