204 EXPERIMENT STATION" EECOKD. 



With SO many station men occupying; a dual position, and often 

 with still other interests, a shifting of activities from one line of 

 duty to another is a condition to be guarded against, for it brings 

 great loss of efficiency and of interest in the work. JNIuch can be 

 done to minimize the necessity for this by sysjtematizing the teach- 

 ing, the institute work, and other duties, so that these will leave a 

 greater amount of unbroken time. In a number of cases the condi- 

 tions have been materially improved, and a general principle has 

 been laid down which recognizes the need of continuity of effort, 

 and the desirability of a separate staff for the more important 

 departments. 



There is still opportunity for improvement in the organization of 

 the work with reference to inspection duties and their relation to 

 other activities. The extent to which these interrupt more legiti- 

 mate features of station work is often not realized. There is fre- 

 quently some doubt as to how much of the time of the specialists is 

 being absorbed or broken into by such work, and in some cases as 

 to whether this service is being entirely supported by special funds. 

 Its effect upon the men engaged in it is also an important considera- 

 tion. As a matter of fact there are notable cases in which inspec- 

 tion work has been allowed to practically prevent competent station 

 men from doing much else. The difficulty lies in improper organiza- 

 tion or regidation of such work. 



If the stations are to continue to exercise police control to an 

 ever increasing extent over fertilizers, feeding stuffs, human foods, 

 insecticides, milk-testing apparatus, nursery, stock, seeds, etc., the 

 organization of this work on such a basis that it will not interfere 

 with or interrupt the legitimate functions of the station is a matter 

 of nuich importance. Improperly organized and regulated, it be- 

 comes a serious drain on the efficiency of certain departments, which 

 is not compensated for by the revenue it brings in. These matters 

 may well receive more attention than is sometimes given them, for the 

 scope and amount of this service has greatly increased in recent 

 years. It should be adjusted to the other activities of the station, 

 ajid considered in the light of its effect on general efficiency rather 

 than the revenue it brings in. 



The aversion to " red tape "' has sometimes prevented discrimina- 

 tion between it and system. A certain amount of system and regu- 

 larity in the business' affairs of a station is essential to successful 

 administration. It lightens the burden of the director and simplifies 

 rather than complicates the duties of his office. The larger the insti- 

 tution the greater is its need, for the affairs soon get beyond the ability 

 of one man to carry the details in his head. 



