ISTew York Agkicultubal, Experiment Station". 7 



Mr. Lowe was granted a six months' leave of absence and is 

 now pursuing special zoological studies at the University of 

 Chicago. 



STUDENT ASSISTANTS. 



So far in the history of American experiment stations the 

 number of well trained young men available from which to choose 

 investigators has been altogether too limited, especially in biolog- 

 ical lines. Graduates of our colleges when fresh from laboratory 

 instruction seldom have much facility in making a logical attack 

 upon a difficult problem affecting practice until after they have 

 been for a time in the atmosphere of real research. It was felt 

 that it would be possible to associate with our work young men 

 having taste for investigation in experiment station lines, in such 

 a way as to derive mutual benefit. In view of this conclusion 

 and in accordance with authority granted me by you, a circular 

 letter containing the following statements was addressed to a 

 large number of the land grant colleges : 



" By authority of the Board of Control of this Station, we are prepared 

 to admit to our laboratories three student assistants; one in each of the de- 

 partments of botany (plant pathology), bacteriology (dairy), and entomology. 

 In order to be eligible to these positions, candidates must be graduates of a 

 four years' course in science, preferably at a land grant college where the 

 sciences are taught with especial reference to their bearing upon the art of 

 agriculture. It is essential, moreover, that such candidates shall have pursued 

 studies specially fitting them to undertake work in one of these departments 

 and that they shall have shown such proficiency and enthusiasm in special 

 directions as will warrant their choosing one of these lines of study and in- 

 vestigation for a life work. 



" As their main work, it is proposed, under the guidance of the heads of 

 departments, to associate these assistants with one or more important sub- 

 jects of investigation, with the understanding that they shall devote a minor 

 proportion of each day, perhaps two hours, to the care of the laboratories, 

 preparation of materials and other routine duties. They must be prepared 

 to enter immediately, under proper direction, upon a study of one or more 

 problems, without spending a considerable period of time in acquiring the nec- 

 essary preparatory knowledge and skill of a fundamental character. For in- 

 stance, the student assistant in bacteriology should be familiar in a practical 

 way with the technics of making culture. 



" Full credit will be given in our publications for work accomplished. 



