8 Agkicultueal Experiment Station, Ithaca, N. Y. 



ing the best means of fertilizing vineyard, fruit and garden plan- 

 tations, and of making orchards, vineyards and gardens prolific; 

 in disseminating horticultural knowledge by means of lectures or 

 otherwise, and in preparing and printing for free distribution 

 the results of such investigations and experiments, and such 

 other information as may be deemed desirable and profitable in 

 promoting the horticultural interests of the State." The Fed- 

 eral law, known as the " Hatch Act," passed March 2, 1887, has 

 a much wider scope and permits investigations to be carried on 

 in all subjects related to Agriculture. 



The funds provided by the State for carrying on this work have 

 been expended, in part, in publishing information believed to be 

 both desirable and profitable, though such information was not 

 secured entirely by our own scientific investigations. 



An effort has been made to awaken an interest in rural pur- 

 suits by imparting instruction to both young and old by means 

 of schools and lectures at central points. The value of this work 

 has been so heartily appreciated by the people, and so many have 

 joined the agricultural science reading courses, that provision 

 should be made for continuing the work. To do this a special 

 corps of instructors and investigators will have to be provided, 

 as the work has outgrown the provisions which have been made 

 for carrying it forward. The present force can direct and sim- 

 plify the work, supervise the expenditures and the publications, 

 and select expert assistants to perform the major part of the 

 work, but the staff, as now constituted, is unable to meet the 

 demands which are made and which are increasing day by day. 



Never before has there been such 'an awakening or such an 

 earnest desire for instruction in rural affairs. The people of the 

 State are calling for help in all lines of Agriculture; they de- 



