EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Vol. XIX. " September, 1907. No. 1. 



Seven years ago the quarter centennial of the first experiment 

 station established in this country was celebrated at New Haven, in 

 connection with the annual convention of the Association of Amer- 

 ican Agricultural Colleges and Experiment Stations. It commemo- 

 rated the beginning of an epoch-making public policy which has 

 already resulted in quite as important advancement as science has 

 ever wrought in any industry. This year is the twenty-fifth anni- 

 versar}' of four other stations — Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, and 

 Tennessee — which, taken with the fact that three others had been 

 established between 1875 and 1882, shows how steady was the growth 

 of the experiment station idea. 



The New York State Station observed its anniversary in field day 

 exercises held on its grounds August 29. An attendance of over 

 3,000 filled to overflowing the large tent which had been erected for 

 the occasion. The governor of the State lent encouragement by 

 his presence and his words, giving public recognition of the signifi- 

 cance of the anniversary to the State. The programme also included 

 addresses b}^ local members of Congress and the State legislature; 

 representatives of the State department of agriculture and the State 

 grange ; President AY. O. Thompson, of Ohio State Universit}^ ; and 

 Dean Bailey, of Cornell University; together with an introductory 

 address by the director, and remarks of a reminiscent nature by the 

 sole surviving member of the board of control. 



Following so closely upon the celebration of the fiftieth anniver- 

 sary of the first agriculture college in this country, the exercises at 

 Geneva were likewise of more than local significance. Popular atten- 

 tion was again forcefully directed to the substantial nature of agri- 

 cultural progress during the last generation, and especially was oppor- 

 tunity afforded for emphasizing the influence of agricultural research 

 in this development. 



How great have been the advances in agricultural practice may be 

 realized, in part, by reference to a brief summary appearing in the 

 first report of the station and dealing with the conditions prevailing in 

 New York at the time of its establishment. Agriculturally, as Doctor 

 Jordan expressed it in his remarks, the period was one of transition 



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