1010 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



seven institutions, amounting to $175. Of this amount, $125 was 

 turned over to the University of Illinois toward paying the expenses 

 of the last session of the school. 



The report of the bibliographer, Dr. A. C. True, took the form of 

 brief historical notes on some early agricultural text-books, the status 

 of instruction in the natural sciences fifty years ago, an account of a 

 convention held in Chicago in 1871, which is said to have been of 

 marked influence in the inauguration of experimental Avork, and a 

 resume of the work of Dr. Albrecht Thaer, of Hanover, Germany 

 (1752-1828), one of the founders of the present system of agricul- 

 tural education in Europe, and indirectly a factor in that of this 

 country. In the discussion that followed, other data of similar 

 nature were brought out, and much interest was shoAvn in the general 

 subject. It was urged that a complete history of the agricultural 

 educational movement in this country should be brought together at 

 an early date, and a committee, consisting of Doctor True, Dean Dav- 

 enport, and Dean Henry, was appointed to take charge of this matter. 



The rejDort of the committee on instruction in agriculture, pre- 

 sented by Doctor True, as chairman, stated that a series of exercises 

 for elementary instruction in agronomy had been prepared and 

 published as a bulletin of this Office. A more advanced course in 

 agronomy, supplementing this and designed for the use of secondary 

 schools of relatively high grade, had been made ready for publica- 

 tion. The preparation of similar elementary and secondary courses 

 in animal production and related topics is to be undertaken. The 

 subcommittees on college courses in rural engineering and home 

 economices reported progress. 



The report of the committee on graduate study, submitted by 

 President M. H. Buckham, stated that preliminary arrangements 

 had been made to hold the next session of the summer school at 

 Cornell University, with the cooperation of the New York State 

 Experiment Station, in the summer of 1908, with Doctor True as 

 dean. Special attention is to be centered on the interrelations of the 

 chemical and biological groups of studies. The value of the school 

 to both the educational and investigational work of the association 

 was pointed out, together with the necessity for adequate financial 

 support. It was voted to continue the present system of asking 

 contributions from the several colleges, and the amount was fixed at 

 $25 for each institution, payable on or before July 1, 1907, and 

 annually thereafter. 



President K. L. Butterfield reported for the committee on extension 

 work that a circular letter had been sent to the heads of the land- 

 grant colleges, calling attention to the recommendations presented 

 at the previous convention relative to the establishment of depart- 

 ments of extension teaching in agriculture. Replies received from 



