EXPERIMENT STATION REPORTS. 105 



this course, mau soon becomes obsolete or a fossil, in other words, he 

 has closed his mind to progress or change. Inasmuch as all of our 

 ideas, notions, decisions or conclusions are based upon only relative 

 conditions, it follows that there is no such thing as absolute fact for 

 man. This is borne out by the many new interpretations of old truths 

 — few are what they were a few years ago. Their aspects have been 

 changed, hence to the human mind, they are not w^hat they were— 

 all because a new setting or new conditions have environed them. 



Because of this relation of truths to environmental conditions and 

 the absence of absolutism, the possibilities of relational studies are lim- 

 itless. Each new relational interpretation adds materially to the fund 

 of available human knowledge. 



In this light, the work of this laboratory proceeds, ever striving for 

 new truths, or for old truths in new relationships. We are writing only 

 occasional popular bulletins, because we believe such work can be 

 better accomplished elsewhere. Only when the nature of the sub- 

 ject demands our services, shall we undertake such duties, unless it 

 is otherwise requested. 



Our energies, therefore, are devoted to technical research. Of course, 

 our problems are strictly agricultural problems, as the ap^iended list 

 will indicate: 



Factors which influence the keeping qualities of 



a. Milk. 



b. Butter. 



Studies of swine epidemics in Michigan. 



Micro-organisms as instrumental agents in rendering the insoluble 

 constitutents of the soil available to plants. 



In the investigation of problems so intricate, patience should be ex- 

 ercised not only in the work itself, but also by those who await results, 

 for the investigators concerned wish to be as nearly right as conforms 

 with the powers of man. 



From time to time technical publications may be issued, the outgrowth 

 of these main lines of study, which will contribute, directly or indi- 

 rectly, to agricultural science. 



Very respectfully submitted. 



CHARLES E. MARSHALL, 

 Bacteriologist and Hygienist. 

 Agricultural College, Michigan, June 30, 1907. 



REPORT OF THE HORTICULTURIST. 



To the Director: 



Sir — The work that has fallen to me during the year now closing 

 has related largely to co-operative experiments along horticultural lines, 

 although the general charge of the South Haven station and the corre- 

 spondence that has reached me have taken a considerable portion of 

 my time. 



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