EDITORIAL. 205 



the field of the experiment stations, and the agricultural colleges can 

 hardly burden themselves with the collection and study of statistics. 

 They can, however, recognize the imi)ortance of this subject by estab- 

 lishing departments of rural economics on a basis w^hich will give 

 opportunity for investigation as well as instruction, and these de- 

 partments can joerform an important function by working out 

 methods, in order to develop means of investigation in this field and 

 furnish examples of its utility. 



The development of methods is one of the needs at the present 

 juncture, the field is so new and experience so limited. By taking up 

 a restricted problem or field and studying it in a thorough and scien- 

 tific manner, much might be done to give impetus to investigation, and 

 at the same time broaden the basis of the science. Investigation needs 

 to be stimulated, the field blocked out, and special agencies provided 

 Avhich will deal regularly and continuously with the economic phases 

 of this industry. I'his opens up an important field for the state de- 

 partments and boards of agriculture, in which they may extend and 

 supplement the work which is being done by the National Department 

 of Agriculture. 



The farmers need ad\ice of a kind which they can not expect the 

 experiment stations to furnish, and uhich relates directly to their 

 business. Agricultural conditions are changing, and these changes 

 need to be recognized by the farmers in a given locality in shaping 

 their course. Changes in any industry must be gradual and must be 

 made intelligently, but at present there are no established permanent 

 agencies to follow the trend in agriculture, to study the movement in 

 a broad way, and to advise the farmers, or even to give them the facts. 



For example, the dairy situation changes in a locality from an in- 

 creased demand for milk, either from milk contractors or condenseries 

 attempting to draw a supph' from a new region. This is complicated 

 by new^ regulations, new standards, high prices for feed, and a changed 

 basis of selling. The farmer is often perplexed to know whether he 

 should abandon his butter or cheese making or his connection with the 

 creamery, and fit up for the new market for his raw product. It is 

 difficult for him to get information as to the real status of the in- 

 dustry or the experience in other localities. Are the farmers else- 

 where prospering under such a system, or is dairying generally de- 

 clining in that section under the changed economic conditions? 



From a broad study of this matter and a knowledge of general 

 conditions, the state department or board of agriculture should be 

 able to give the dairyman the facts which would enable him to shape 

 his course more intelligently. There are some examples of such 

 studies, notably on the economics of milk supply and distribution in 

 New York and London. They do not necessarily effect a change in 



