EDITORIAL. 3 



represented. In advocacy of such an agency Commissioner Colman 

 said in his annual report for 1885: 



" For many years it has become more and more apparent tiiat one 

 great need of the agricultural interests of the TTnited States is a 

 better understanding and a more intimate relation between the sev- 

 eral agricultural colleges and experiment stations, and a more practi- 

 cal cooperation between these institutions and the Department of 

 Agriculture. . . . These agricultural colleges were severalh'^ endow^ed 

 by one and the same act of Congress. They are now separately 

 carrying on experiments at an expense of time and means, and yet 

 without any central head through wdiich to report and compare results 

 with each other. ... 



" Believing that the Department of Agriculture can, if wisely con- 

 ducted, become a vitalizing center for a more general cooperative 

 effort for the promotion of agricultural science, and that the various 

 state expei'iment stations should be encouraged by the most cordial 

 cooperation on the part of this branch of the National Government, 

 I have endeavored, with my very limited means and force, to organ- 

 ize a branch in this Department to take charge of the returns from 

 these colleges and stations, and to collate and distribute the infor- 

 mation obtained for the benefit of all interested parties. I am happy 

 to say that the institutions alluded to warmly approve of this plan, 

 and are aiding me with their suggestions and cooperation." 



The Hatch Act passed March 2, 1887, but did not become operative 

 until the following year, Avhen the appropriation under it was made. 



A definite organization for the new Office was effected October 1, 

 1888. On this date Prof. W. O. AtAvater, who had been one of the 

 leading advocates of a national system of experiment stations, began 

 his duties as director, retaining as well the directorship of the Con- 

 necticut Storrs Station and his professorship in chemistry in Wes- 

 leyan University. Dr. A. W. Harris, now president of Northwestern 

 University, became assistant director of the Office, and with one 

 clerical assistant completed its initial organization. 



The general policy of the Office and many of the lines of its future 

 work were mapped out to a large extent by Professor Atwater, and in 

 considerable measure have been adhered to in subsequent years. 

 Some of its proposed principal functions were outlined in the report 

 of Commissioner Colman for 1888, as follows: 



" The most immediately pressing need seems to be that of a clear- 

 ing house and an exchange for the stations. The stations are widely 

 separated; they need to know more about each other's work; they 

 need each other's help, especially that which comes from the inter- 

 change of experience. Much is gained by the proper distribution of 



