41(3 experimp:nt station record. 



In the iuiportiint tield of agricultunil engineering, with the exception 

 of the work done in irrigation in Colorado and in a more limited way 

 in a few other States, the stations have thus far done almost nothing. 

 Thouoh the farmers of the United States are by far the largest user.^ 

 of agricultural machinery of those in any country, the experiment 

 stations have not undertaken any serious studies of such machinery. 



When the Hatch Act was passed fifteen years ago it was estimated 

 that the annual value of agricultural products in the United States was 

 three billion dollars, and that thus the annual expenditures for the 

 stations organized under that act would not amount to more than a tax 

 of twenty-five cents on every thousand dollars" worth of agricultural 

 product. The census of 1900 shows that the annual output of our 

 farms now^ amounts to five billion dollars. It is believed that the 

 experiment stations have had much to do with this increased agri- 

 cultural production. The funds expended 'in their maintenance have 

 thus proved to l)e highly renmnerative investments. 



Experience has demonstrated that it is a wise policy to Invoke the 

 aid of science and expert skill for the extension and improvement of 

 our agriculture. It would be well, therefore, for our people to con- 

 sider seriously the extension of the operations of the stations on a scale 

 which it is believed would secure wider and more permanent results. 



