EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Vol. XVIII. December, li)06. No. 4. 



The convention of the Association of American Agricultural Col- 

 leges and p]xperiment Stations at Baton Rouge was one of unusual 

 interest, especially to experiment station officers. The chief centei- 

 of interest was the Adams fund, its aims and limitations, and the 

 general policy regarding its use. 



There was a broad discussion of the subject of research work, its 

 relation to the other activities of the experiment stations and to the 

 general public. At no previous meeting has there been so full and 

 intelligent consideration of this subject and of the distinctive features 

 of research and investigation. It did much to clarify views and 

 elevate ideals, if it did not always relieve the feeling of i)ressu)'e 

 on the part of some that the needs and demands of their constituents 

 should be met in a direct way. Such, however, could hardly fail to 

 liave carried away a clearer impression of the desirability of agri- 

 cultural research and of its practicability as well. 



The l)road field and duty of the experiment station as a scientific 

 institution was emphasized — its relations to agricultural education 

 and to the promotion of agriculture in a broad sense, as well as to 

 the local needs of the farmer. The need of a definite policy for every 

 station and of adherence to its policy and programme of work was 

 made evident, a need which is especially urgent at the present 

 juncture. 



I'he re])ort of the new standing committee on station organization 

 and ])()licv Avas received with special interest. This conunittee is 

 made up of a representative body of station men, headed by Dean 

 Davenport as chairman. It has held several meetings during the 

 year and has given careful and intelligent study to questions relating 

 to the policy of the stations toward the Adams fund. Its conclu- 

 sions are therefore entitled to uuich respect, and should have great 

 Aveight in formulating the sentiment of the American stations. 



While the committee deemed it impracticable at this time to deter- 

 mine in detail the kinds of work pro|)er under the new fund, it laid 

 doAvn the folloAving broad proposition: '"It is evidently the inten- 



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