EDITORIAL. 3 



from Federal sources, making- it still, as in the beginning, the most 

 liberally supported bv the State of any of these institutions. 



Still another important element which has made for prosperity at 

 the station has been the character of its personnel. During the 

 twenty-five years the position of director has changed but twice, and 

 other positions in the station have enjoyed unusual freedom fi"om 

 change. From the time when Babcock, Goif. and Wing formed with 

 the director its entire scientific staff, there has been maintained not 

 merely a high degree of efficiency, but also a spirit of fidelity to high 

 ideals of research. Xot the least of the services of the station has 

 been as a training ground for investigators, through whom its influ- 

 ence has been potent and widespread. 



A comparison of the station of 1907 with that of 1882 exemplifies 

 the remarkable expansion of activities Avhich has characterized our 

 progress during that time. From a scientific staff of four, represent- 

 ing the basal departments of agriculture, chemistry, and horticulture, 

 the number of scientific and clerical workers has increased to thirty- 

 one, with the establishment of new departments of animal industry, 

 bacteriology, botany, dairying, and entomology. In addition, special 

 officers are now necessary for exclusive attention to the general super- 

 vision of the work, the editing and mailing of the publications, and 

 similar lines. Fifteen laboratory and other buildings are in use, with 

 five more to be added in the near future. A few short articles sent 

 out to newspapers of the State and a brief annual report. of small 

 circulation sufficed in the earlier days for the dissemination of the 

 results of the station's work. At present the publications number 

 about fifteen each year, most of which are reprinted in condensed 

 popular form in editions of forty-five thousand copies. 



With these improved facilities for service on the part of the sta- 

 tion has developed a steadily increasing appreciation from the gen- 

 eral public. The newly organized institution faced a constituency 

 which, while hopeful, was none the less to a degree apprehensive that 

 the ncAv effort might be fanciful and visionary in its origin and 

 would be impractical in its results. To-day, to quote again from 

 Doctor Jordan, *'" the agricultural scientist feels that his right to live 

 and labor is recognized. Members of our staff are listened to with 

 respect and confidence, . . . and their advice is freelj^ sought con- 

 cerning troublesome farm problems." During the first year of the 

 station's existence about 500 letters of inquiry were received. At 

 present the mnnber of replies sent out aggregates from 10,000 to 

 15,000 each year. 



In fact, to such an extent has public interest develoj^ed that Doctor 

 Jordan deemed necessary a word of warning. " It is," said he, " a 

 real menace to research work that the worth to agriculture of the 



