XCIV REPOET OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 



have been made in the apparatus and methods for nutrition investiga- 

 tions. The results of these investigations have been more effectively 

 brought to the attention of teachers of ph^'siology and domestic 

 science, and beginnings have been made of what it is hoped may 

 develop a systematic study of dietaries in public institutions. 



With the expansion of its work the amount of useful material pre- 

 pared for publication in this Office has materially increased. Special 

 efforts have been made during the past year to publish this material 

 in forms which will contribute to its effective and economical distri- 

 bution. The performance of duties growing out of the relations of 

 the Department with the Civil Service Commission has also involved 

 considerable work. With the constant and rapid growth of the system 

 of ao-ricultural education and research in this and other countries the 

 o-eneral business of the Office in its relations with outside institutions 

 is necessarily enlarged from year to year. 



Progress of the ExpEmiviENT Stations. 



The feature of the progress of agricultural institutions in this 

 country which has attracted most attention during the past year is the 

 rapid increase in the public interest in these institutions. This is 

 shown in the increase in the number of students in agricultural col- 

 leges and schools, in the larger attendance at the farmers' institutes, 

 in the enlarged correspondence and mailing lists of the stations, in the 

 increased demand for trained workers in agricultural and other busi- 

 ness enterprises requiring scientiffc and expert knowledge and skill 

 for their most successful management, and in the wider space given 

 to agricultural education and research in agricultural and other 

 journals. 



During the year a number of new institutions for investigations in 

 agriculture have been establi.-shed in different States. The State legis- 

 latures have continued to be very liberal with the agricultural colleges 

 and experiment stations. Over half a million dollars annuall}' arc now 

 contributed by the States to the maintenance of the experiment 

 stations. 



Evidences of the influence of station work in improving agricultural 

 practice and benefiting the farming interests of the country continue 

 to multiply. This influence is felt in all of the various phases of agri- 

 cultural operations. It is possible here to briefl}^ refer to onlj^ a few 

 recent examples of the practical benefits which are being derived from 

 investigations b}" the experiment stations. 



The origination and introduction of improved varieties of cereals 

 through the agency of the stations of the grain-growing region, coop- 

 erating with this Department, is resulting in a vast increase of the 

 grain-producing capacity of the country. As an illustration of this 

 it may be cited that a variety of oats imported by the Department and 



