CONVENTION OF COLLEGES AND EXPERIMENT STATIONS. 1011 



42 institutions representing 39 States were briefly summarized 

 to show the status of the work in each case. Such departments 

 are now formally established in G institutions, and in 3 others faculty 

 committees have been appointed to study conditions and methods. 

 Several institutions are hopeful of organizing the work in the near 

 future, while at several extension Avork is proceeding along other 

 lines. A lack of sufficient funds was in nearly every case reported as 

 the cliief obstacle to its development. 



In connection Avith the extension work the need of a central agency 

 to concentrate and correlate the efforts of the dili'erent institutions 

 was emphasized by a number of speakers. A resolution was adopted 

 favoring the granting of larger appropriations to the Office of Ex- 

 [leriment Stations for the enlargement of its activities along the lines 

 of " investigations and publications in relation to methods of in- 

 tnution in agriculture relating to the farm, to the farm home, and 

 to rural interests generally." 



The report of the connnittee on station organization and policy was 

 presented by its chairman, Dean Davenport. In view of some dif- 

 ficulty having been experienced by college and station workers in 

 securing the ])ublications of the stations, it was strongly urged that 

 all the stations use the " official " mailing list prepared by this Office, 

 either for mailing their bulletins or keeping their mailing lists 

 revised, and that the institutions notify the Office promptly of all 

 changes in their staffs. Inquiry developed the fact that only about 

 tAvo-thirds of the stations now use this list regularly. 



A special feature of the report related to the kind of men suited 

 to station Avork and their training. This is noted editorially in this 

 number. 



I'he committee expressed its appreciation of the Avork of this Office 

 in furthering the interests of agricultural exjoerimentation, and in 

 vieAv of the rapid groAvth of the stations and the increasing impor- 

 tance of these relations it Avas reconniiended that the association 

 request its executive committee to confer Avith the Secretary of Agri- 

 culture Avith reference to its extension and reorganization as a bureau. 



The report of the committee Avas adopted, together Avith its recom- 

 mendations. 



The commission on organization and policA' in agricultural re- 

 search, appointed in accordance Avith a resolution adopted at the last 

 convention (E. S. R., 18, p. 797), made a brief preliininaiy report 

 through its secretary. Dr. W. II. Jordan. Tavo subconnnittees haA^e 

 been appointed, one to consider the scientific and technical aspects 

 and the other the sociological and economical relations. The com- 

 mission has held one meeting, and it is expected that another session 

 Avill be held in NoA'^ember and a linal report made to the association in 

 the fall of 1908. 



