58 



iii<>- to tost them, and to receive from the stations the samples of the 

 phmts raised, to be used in tests of machinery at the Department. 



A pa])er read by Dr. Jenkins, of Connecticut, on uniformity in the 

 methods and records of woriv in chemical laboratories was followed 

 by earnest discussion, which was reneAved at various times, on the 

 Avays and means for reaching the greatest possible accuracy in the 

 chemical work of the stations in testing fertilizers, dairy i^roducts, 

 etc., and making its results as intelligible as practicable. Resolu- 

 tions were jjassed to secure these desirable ends. Dr. Neale, of the 

 Delaware Station, who has had long experience in Europe, spoke of 

 the great respect in which the work of American official chemists is 

 held there. In his judgment there is no better work in chemical anal- 

 ysis done anywhere in the world than in this country. 



The relations of the colleges and stations to agricultural fairs and 

 to farmers' institutes were carefully considered. Mr. Willits, assist- 

 ant secretary of agriculture, spoke strongly in favor of sending out 

 speakers from the colleges and stations to address farmers' meetings. 

 It Avas the general sentiment of the con\"ention that the stations should 

 exhibit their Avork at State fairs, but should not contend for pre- 

 miums. The farmers' institutes Avere heartily indorsed. 



Professor AtAvater, Avhile discussing the obligations of the colleges 

 and stations under the act of Congress, urged that the colleges should 

 assist the stations as far as possible by placing at their disposal build- 

 ings, farms, laboratories, libraries, and other appliances, and that the 

 stations should folloAv those lines of Avork in Avhich they could take 

 full advantage of the resources of the colleges. In his judgment the 

 individual stations should confine themseh'es to thorough Avork upon 

 a limited number of subjects, and conduct their iuA^estigations on 

 such a scale and Avith such scientific accuracy as to secure results of 

 permanent A'alue. 



Kesoluticms were passed asking the Department of Agriculture to 

 begin Avithout delay the collating and translating of the results of 

 Avork done in simihu' lines in foreign countries. Of this material 

 there is already a A^ery large accunudation, and it Avould greatly pro- 

 mote the economy and elfectiA'eness of station Avork in this country if 

 foreign experience could l)e nuule readily aA^ailable to our Avorkers. 



The co-operative Avork undertaken by the staticm horticulturists 

 Avas presented in a report of the committee on horticulture, prepared 

 and read by its chaii-maii, Mr. Alwood, of Virginia. The horticul- 

 turists have begmi the testing of a great A^ariety of neAv fruits and 

 A'egetables. aiul |)ropose to issue reports of their tests on a uniform 

 ])lan, Avhich Avill give the originator satisfactory testimony as to the 

 value of his novelties, and at the same time protect the public against 

 unscrupulous nurserymen. They are also endeaA^oring to systematize 

 the naming of fruits and vegetables, with a view to doing aAvay with 

 the meaningless and bombastic appellations which are often given 



