CONVENTION OF AMERICAN AGRICULTUliAL COLLEGES. 555 



Henry, J. B. Lindsey, James Wilson, and 0. C. Geoigeson. The priu- 

 cipal point brought out was that while the value of scientific exj^eri- 

 ments is unquestioned, many practical experiments which do not lend 

 themselves to scientific accuracy may be conducted with advantage by 

 the stations. 



Two papers — (1) "A brief statement concerning our present knowl- 

 edge of the composition of crude fiber and extract matter," and (2) "The 

 distribution of galactan in agricultural plants and seeds" — were pre- 

 sented by J. B. Lindsey, of Massachusetts. The first discussed briefly 

 the complex character of crude fiber and nitrogen-free extract as 

 rei>orted in analyses of feeding stufis, and the second reports the deter- 

 mination of galactan in 48 samples of coarse fodder and concentrated 

 feeding stufts and seeds. This investigation reveals two facts — "(1) that 

 galactan is not nearly so generally distributed as the pentosans, and 

 (2) that it occurs more particularly in leguminous plants and seeds, 

 the non-leguminous jdants being comparatively free." 



Other papers presented were "Irrigation for Eastern agriculturists," 

 by F. W. Rane, of ]Srew Hampshire, "Imi^rovements in laboratory 

 methods of teaching agriculture," by T. F. Hunt, of Ohio, and "Im- 

 provements in and further tests of the laboratory methods for teaching 

 agriculture," by C. S. Plumb, of Indiana. 



SECTION ON HORTICULTURE AND BOTANY. 



In the section on horticulture and botany G. E. Stone, of Massachu- 

 setts, read a paper on "Physiological botany in agricultural colleges," 

 in which the development of American botany was discussed. The 

 author claimed that physiological botany is the fundamental basis of 

 agriculture and horticulture, and should follow a comprehensive course 

 in histology. The normal functions of plants must be known in order 

 to recognize many diseased conditions and discover means for their 

 prevention. The author thought physiological botany should have a 

 wider field in the curriculum of every agricultural college and that 

 wherever possible the experiments should have a i^ractical bearing. 



The discussion following the reading of this paper brought out the 

 fact that while less physiological botany is taught than was considered 

 desirable, yet the importance of the study is fully appreciated. 



A paj)er on the "Place in the curriculum of botany, time, phase or 

 phases of work, and relation to other subjects," by L. H. Pammel, of 

 Iowa, was read by the temi)orary secretary, F. S. Earle. The author 

 outlined the botanical course of the Iowa Agricultural College. No 

 botany is required for admission, but it is provided for in required and 

 elective courses, covering a considerable period of the college course. 

 The use of text-books for teaching elementary botany was advised. 

 Laboratory work should be kept under the guidance of assistants or 

 those in charge, and the economic features should be kept in the fore- 

 ground, while not neglecting the training value of the subject. 



The teaching of industrial horticulture in agricultural colleges was 



