580 ANNUAL KEPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



to be a matter of widening interest. It is supplying the basis for a 

 larger measure of cooperative effort and is obviating duplication in 

 cases where it is not justified. This list is issued in mimeographed 

 form in an edition of only a few hundred copies. 



RELATIONS WITH THE STATIONS. 



During the year all the experiment stations in the States receiving 

 Federal funds were visited by a representative of this office. On these 

 visitations the accounts on the Federal funds were examined in detail, 

 and the exact use made of these funds, in administration and in the 

 carrying out of specific projects, was determined. In this connection 

 the principal attention is given to conferences with the director on 

 matters relating to the_ work and administration of the station and 

 discussions with individual members of the staff regarding the 

 progress of their projects. Wliile in the latter special consideration 

 is aimed at those projects supported partly or wholly from Federal 

 funds, the work of the station as a whole largely comes into con- 

 sideration. The attempt is made to secure a comprehensive view of 

 the investigation carried on by each station with all its funds and the 

 general situation surrounding it. 



There is a very general desire on the part of directors that no man's 

 work shall be overlooked, but that the office representative shall take 

 the time to go over the projects of each individual and supply sug- 

 gestions and criticisms freely. Indeed, constructive criticism is wel- 

 comed by the station authorities and suggestions are invariably in- 

 vited for the strengthening of the activities in various lines or the 

 promotion of the general welfare of research. This annual visitation, 

 with its personal contact with the station officers and workers, con- 

 tinues to be an important factor in the exercise of helpful relations 

 with the experiment stations. 



To meet the requirements of the new classification of accounts, de- 

 vised by the office of the Comptroller General and applying to all 

 funds required to be reported to Congress, a revised system of classi- 

 fication of experiment-station accounts has been prepared. This is 

 an adaptation to the essentials of the new Government system, retain- 

 ing such former headings as feasible, in order to make the reports for 

 the future more nearly comparable with those in the past. To assist 

 in the introduction of this new system in the station accounting offices 

 an analytical key or glossary has been prepared of quite comprehen- 

 sive character to replace the one formerly in use. 



A difficulty which is sometimes met with in the administration of 

 the Federal funds grows out of an increasing disposition to impose 

 local regulations of the funds of the colleges, both State and Federal, 

 and to prescribe procedure which restricts the free use of these funds. 

 In some cases the regulation of expenditures is becoming quite dras- 

 tic and threatens to interfere with the application of the Federal 

 funds or hamper their use. This matter is being inquired into quite 

 closely and the effects determined. The Federal funds for the sta- 

 tions are paid in advance, in order that the latter may be able to meet 

 promptly the requirements of their investigations, and it is main- 

 tained that no procedure should be set up which will interfere with 

 this or place the station at a disadvantage in the use of these funds 

 after plans have been approved by the local authorities. 



