EDITORIAL. 508 



committee, composed of members designated by the respective govern- 

 ments, is intrusted with the executive management of the institute, 

 under the direction and control of the general assembly. Members of 

 the committee may serve as the representative of one or more nations, 

 but the actual number of members is to be not less than fifteen. The 

 general secretary will act both for the committee and the assembly. 

 Thus there is brought into existence a real parliament of the na- 

 tions, with a permanent cabinet and ministry devoted solely to a con- 

 sideration of agricultural interests. It is a significant step in inter- 

 national cooperation, and the more so because it is directed toward 

 the greatest of international industries and the one most far-reaching 

 in its sociological influences. It signifies a uniting of forces in peace- 

 ful and productive occupations in mutual aid for mutual benefit. As 

 such it is noteworthy as marking another step in the progress of 

 civilization. 



The question of suitable provision for publishing reports of the 

 more scientific investigations carried on at the experiment stations, 

 especially those under the- Adams fund, is already attracting atten- 

 tion and will soon become an important one. It is generalh^ recog- 

 nized that these will not in their entirety or original form be suited to 

 the regular series of bulletins. While the results of work of this 

 character will ultimateh' prove of very great benefit to agriculture, 

 its details will ordinarily have little interest for farmers or the gen- 

 eral public. At the same time, in order to satisfy the proper de- 

 mands of the scientific world and to give our agricultural investi- 

 gators and students the information they should have regarding these 

 researches, it will be highly desirable to have them published in as 

 nnich detail and with as complete illustration as is usually done in 

 the case of work of the same order in other branches of science. 



Referring to this matter, the report of the Director of this Office, 

 just issued, points out that this Avill mean the providing of a different 

 class of publications from the ordinary station bulletins and reports. 

 Either the individual stations must establish with the aid of State 

 funds a technical series of publications, which, though limited in 

 editions, Avill be relatively elaborate and expensive, or Congress must 

 make provision for the grouping together of the scientific work of 

 the stations in a general series of special publications to be issued 

 under the authority of the National Government. 



To the world at large the latter course would undoubtedh^ be the 

 most satisfactory, since this would bring the research work of the 

 stations together and establish a regular and permanent medium for 

 its publication, thus making it readily accessible to scientists and stu- 

 dents the world over. Foreign critics of our experiment station sys- 

 tem have often expressed the view" that under present conditions the 



