EDITORIAL. 3 



terest to different classes of readers, and the desire to get the reports 

 of the service out promptl}^ Eight bulletins recording routine me- 

 teorological observations are in this list. There are also thirty annual 

 reports, which with few exceptions are wholly of an administrative 

 character. 



Without knowing in detail the method of distribution of the sta- 

 tion publications, it is impracticable to judge accurately of the effect 

 of the issuance of so many kinds of publications. It is, however, 

 probable that the widest circulation is given to the more popular 

 publications. Since these for the most part do not definitely record 

 experimental work, it would naturally follow that the general im- 

 pression to be created would be that the stations are agencies for the 

 general diffusion of agricultural information. There is much rea- 

 son for be] ieving that the public generally now consider the stations 

 in this light. 



This impression must be deepened by the miscellaneous character 

 of the subjects treated in the compiled publications. A few examples 

 of the titles of these publications will ilhistrate this point: Oppor- 

 tunities for profitable farming. Orchard practice, Poultry raising. 

 Farm butter-making. Seed testing, The scheme of distribution of 

 seeds and plants, A competitive corn test. Iron cow stall. Selecting 

 and judging corn, Distribution of licensed stallions (in a certain 

 region). Headache remedies, Lighting of farm homes, Tree growing 

 at public schools. Experiments with plants and soils in laboratory, 

 garden, and field (50 school exercises). 



In the last case the term " experiments " is used in that loose and 

 unfortunate meaning, as applied to the demonstrations or trials of 

 well-known facts and principles by school children. The bad effects 

 of such terminology is widely seen even in our higher institutions 

 of learning and among experiment station men. It seems difficult 

 under such conditions to establish correct standards for real experi- 

 mental work. 



The franking privilege possessed by the experiment stations, and 

 thus far denied to the other divisions of the agricultural colleges, 

 undoubtedly accounts for the inclusion of some publications in the 

 station list. The performance of extension work by some stations 

 under State laws has naturally led to their issuing extension pub- 

 lications. 



One serious feature of this habit of issuing compilations which 

 oiu' stations have acquired is the great amount of time and energy 

 thus diverted from experimental work. In this way not only is the 

 amount of experimental work greatly diminished but the enthusiasm 

 of the worker for experimental effort is often impaired. ^Vhen once 

 the easy path to public favor through the compiled bulletin has been 



