310 



methods of milking-, emphasize strongh^ the long- felt Avant of a better 

 imclerstanding of the physiological laAvs by which the production of 

 milk is governed. The same principle applies, though in different 

 ways, to the production of beef and pork and to the other things for 

 which animals are bred and fed. 



The need of more accurate study of the chemistry of foods and 

 feeding stuffs has already been referred to in the publications of this 

 Office. 



Recent criticisms in the pul)lic press of one of the most interesting 

 and valuable of the investigations reported by the stations have 

 called attention anew to the importance of putting such accounts of 

 the station researches and their results as are intended for the general 

 public into form so clear, brief, and free from technical ex])ressions 

 that unscientific readers will easily understand them and see their 

 A^alue. In the case which we now have in mind the investigations 

 were described in a report of considerable length. There was a 

 mixture of technical details and i)()pular explanations, of scientific 

 <liscussion and practical conclusions, and though a summary Avas 

 g-iven, its style, like that of the Ixxly of the article, Avas verbose and 

 obscure. It was clear that some of the criticisms referred to would 

 not have been made if the reader had understood the real drift of 

 the experiments. Apparently the impression left upon the minds 

 of the critics was that, though the investigations might be interesting 

 from a scientific standpoint, the results were of little use to the 

 farmer. In fact, however, there was every evidence that the work 

 had been done in a thorough, ingenious, painstaking, and decidedly 

 creditable Avay, and the outcome promises to be of great and imme- 

 diate practical benefit. Had the Avork been reported more carefully, 

 it Avould doubtless have received fcAvcr strictures and more appre- 

 ciation. 



The published accounts of inA'estigations Avhich give details in 

 scientific form for scientific readers should be carefully distinguished 

 from popular accounts in Avhich the results, with needed explanations, 

 are put into convenient shape for unscientific readers. The effort to 

 combine the tAvo things often results in such an abri Jgment of details 

 and such illogical order in the presentation of facts that the expert is 

 inclined to query Avhether the experimental Avork Avas Avell done, 

 Avhile the practical man is so confused by the mass of material and 

 the technical terms that he is liable to miss or misunderstand the very 

 parts Avhich were especially intended for him. 



The ideal station publications Avould include at least these tAvo 

 classes, the one for the student and iuA-ostigator and the other for the 

 practical farmer and general reader. The detailed report would 

 contain full records of investigations, and be issued in small editions. 

 The publications of the second class Avould be bulletins or other popu- 



