102 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol. 37 



the welfare of the different enterprises are likely to be passed over 

 with slight consideration or study of all their bearings. 



The overworked condition of many of the administrative officers 

 started far back of the war, and is a direct result of the growth 

 which has been taking place. The system of organization had fre- 

 quently stopped short of the actual needs as they developed with this 

 growth; and when to the usual routine of duties were added calls to 

 exercise active leadership in the agricultural affairs of the State on 

 a war footing, the difficulties of the situation naturally became mani- 

 fest. There was no shirking, but a ready assumption of the new re- 

 sponsibilities and of an amount of personal work which in some cases 

 can not be maintained indefinitely. 



In the history of these colleges the experiment station was usually 

 the first group to be definitely organized and have a responsible 

 head. The station was recognized as representing a definite line of 

 endeavor, with a force of workers and special facilities to meet 

 its needs, methods of its own, and problems and a clientele different 

 from those of the instruction departments. 



Hence the provision of an organization and an administrative offi- 

 cer seemed wholly logical, and the office and duties of director became 

 general!}" recognized. Gradually it was separated from the office of 

 president of the college, wherever it had been combined with that 

 office; and the efficient development of the stations was in large meas- 

 ure the result of the guiding hand of the directors. A good station 

 and a good director usually went hand in hand; and the successful 

 director studied the problems both of his constituents and of his 

 workers. 



Events therefore justified the provision of an administrative head 

 to supply leadership to the station, and confirmed the view of the 

 necessity for administration of its funds and its work if the greatest 

 economy and usefulness were to result. Although our station work 

 has changed much in character, and the efficiency of the station staff 

 has increased greatly, the importance of maintaining a station organi- 

 zation, with adequate attention to its affairs and a general super- 

 vision of its work and relations, has remained unchanged. 



The establishment of the office of dean in the colleges and universi- 

 ties often carried with it the abolition of the directorship of the ex- 

 periment station as a separate and distinct office. Frequently the 

 mantle of dean fell upon the director of the station, as one who had 

 distinguished himself for administration and perhaps stood nomi- 

 nally at the head of the agricultural work of the college. The situa- 

 tion in the early days was such that the station received a large share 

 of his attention. But in the majority of institutions the duties of this 

 dual officer have gre«tly changed. 



