244 DEPAKTMENTAL EEPORTS. 



of the experiment-station workers are attempting too many different 

 kinds of work, and the progress of the stations is seriously hindered 

 from this cause. 



One result of the lack of a sufficient number -of well-trained and 

 experienced workers in our agricultural institutions is that the best 

 men are constantly being shifted from one institution to another, or 

 are departing to outside enterprises offering larger salaries and other 

 attractions. The past year has witnessed an unusually large num- 

 ber of such changes in the personnel of the experiment stations. This 

 is a very serious matter, since the time element in the conduct of agri- 

 cultural investigations is an important one. Until the tenure of office 

 in our stations is much more stable than at present, we must expect that 

 there will be much waste of work and funds in incomplete investiga- 

 tions due to the frequent shifting of the officers in charge. 



There is also need of increased funds for the general expenses con- 

 nected with agricultural investigations. This is well stated in a recent 

 editorial by Dr. Allen in the Experiment Station Record, as follows: 



The demands made upon the station for its services in a variety of directions 

 have necessitated broadening and extending its work . until in many States it has 

 reached the extreme limit which the present funds will allow. In not a few cases 

 we have more departments than there are funds for, so that a part of them are 

 stifled and held down to the sheerest necessities. Moreover, the character of the 

 work of the stations is gradually imdergoing a change. The simpler and more 

 superficial problems in many lines of agriculture have been solved to a large extent, 

 and demonstrated beyond doubt. The more complex and intricate investigations, 

 involving deeper and more time consuming research . will 1)e the field more largely 

 occupied by the leading stations in the future. Some have already entered it, and 

 others are being stimulated and led on by their example. This means a more 

 specialized station staff, assigned primarily to station work. There is a gradual 

 tendency in that direction, and any movement in the direction of increasing the 

 duties of station workers in elementary instruction is unmistakably to be regarded 

 as a retrograde movement. 



These conditions, as well as the more expensive plants of the stations, call for 

 larger means for general maintenance; and this need is becoming imperative if 

 the stations are to continue to advance in accordance with the demands which 

 their popularity has broiight abottt. Fortunately, progress is being made in that 

 direction, and State appropriations for special lines of investigations are increas- 

 ing every year. 



Progress has been made during the past year in the differentiation 

 of the equipment and work of the experiment stations as distinct 

 departments of the agricultural colleges, and the movement for the 

 separation of the office of director of the station from that of i^resident 

 of the college or universitj^ is continuing. In only nine States and 

 Territories does the college president now perform the functions of 

 director of the experiment station. 



It is very clear tliat farmers in different parts of the country are 

 coming to understand the importance of the work of the stations, and 

 are recognizing the practical value of the results of this work by mak- 

 ing actual use of them on their farms. There is also an encouraging 

 understanding of the necessary limitations of station work. Intelli- 

 gent farmers are coming to see that, while the stations may be of 

 great assistance in the improvement of farm practice, the final result 

 will not be to make farming a more simple business. A higher intelli- 

 gence, more definite education, and greater thrift will hereafter be 

 required to make successful farmers. 



SUPERVISION OF EXPENDITURES. 



The seventh annual examination of the work and expenditures of 

 the agricultural experiment stations which receive the National funds 



