REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR. 



To the Preside7it of Cornell University. 

 Sir: — 



The letter of Mr. A. C. True, Director of Experiment Stations, 

 Washington, D. C, hereunto attached, explains why this report 

 is written at this time instead of at the end of the calendar year 

 as has been the custom heretofore. It should be noticed that 

 the financial part of this report covers the fiscal year ending 

 June 30th, 1897 ; that part of it which relates to the publica- 

 tions and work undertaken covers but six months, January ist 

 to July 1st, 1897, ^r^d hence is not so extended as was last year's 

 report which covered a full calendar year. 



The State appropriated (Chapter 128 of the Laws of 1897) 

 $25,000 for " giving instruction by means of schools, lectures 

 and other University Extension methods, or otherwise, and in 

 conducting investigations and experiments; in discovering the 

 diseases of plants and remedies therefor; in ascertaining the 

 best methods of fertilization of fields, gardens and plantations ; 

 and best modes of tillage and farm management and improve- 

 ment of live stock ; and in printing leaflets and disseminating 

 agricultural knowledge by means of lectures or otherwise ; and 

 in preparing and printing for free distribution the results of such 

 investigations and experiments, and for republishing such 

 bulletins as may be useful in the furtherance of the work; and 

 such other information as may be deemed desirable and profit- 

 able in promoting the agricultural interests of the State." This 

 appropriation has made it possible to greatly enlarge the scope 

 of our work and to employ additional help to carry on investi- 

 gations and instruction in fields not heretofore covered. It has 

 also made it possible to republish several valuable bulletins, 

 which were out of print, for which there is a growing demand. 



The work under Chapter 128, Laws of 1897, began in April 

 and has been carried on vigorously up to the present time. Two 

 sets of circulars were prepared and sent out, one in which were 



