34 Department of Experimental Plant-Breeding. 



the University of Nebraska and fornierly Assistant Professor of 

 Botany in the North Dakota Agricultural College; Mr. Arthur W. 

 Gilbert, a graduate of the Massachusetts Agricultural College and 

 of this University, formerly Assistant Professor of Agronomy of the- 

 University of Maine; Mr. Harry H. Love, a graduate of the Illinois 

 Wesleyan University and formerly assistant in plant-breeding in the 

 University of Illinois ; Mr. Eugene P. Humbert, a graduate of the 

 Iowa Agricultural College and formerly an instructor in the Depart- 

 ment of Farm Crops of that institution. 



The equipment of the department is being gradually built up and 

 we are now in fairly good condition for the prosecution of the in- 

 vestigations. A small greenhouse 14 by 50 feet with potting shed 

 has been erected during the year and is a material aid in connection 

 with the work. However, it is far too small to accommodate the 

 needs of the department. 



Microscopes, microtomes, chemical apparatus and the like have been 

 secured in sufficient numbers or quantity to meet present demands. 

 A small breeding garden, near the College buildings, organized and 

 run during the past season, has proved a very efficient aid in the 

 investigations. 



Recommendations. 



The present needs of this department are primarily for greater 

 laboratory space. Already the present quarters are overcrowded and, 

 furthermore, they are poorly adapted to the work in hand. No space 

 is available to accommodate further graduate students and we have 

 been compelled to turn students away who would have been of ma- 

 terial aid in extending the investigations. There is no suitable room 

 available for storing material under investigation and this has been 

 a great hindrance to the prosecution of the work. It is earnestly 

 hoped that steps may be taken to remedy this condition in the near 

 future. 



A second need of considerable importance is that the areas on the 

 University farm devoted to experimental work be properly fenced. 

 Experiments are under way which have cost thousands of dollars and 

 some of these might be destroyed in a night by a stray animal. 'Fhe 

 writer considers this an imperative need, which cannot safely be de- 

 layed another year. 



H. J. WEBBER, 



Professor of Experimental Plant-Breeding. 



