104 EXPERIMENT STATION EECOKD. [Vol.37 



and steps are under waj' to relieve the situation. In others the de- 

 sirability of such relief is indicated. 



While the congested administrative situation is a result of the gen- 

 eral growth of the agricultural affairs of the college, the inaugura- 

 tion of extension work is often a large factor. This has brought a 

 new set of problems and has added materially to the administrative 

 burden upon the dean and director, even though his office is organized 

 with a competent extension director. It has broadened the external 

 relations through cooperation, and being in an evolutionary stage 

 without precedent to guide action, it has required careful study and 

 many important decisions. 



This new activity has had the natural effect of taking away from 

 the experiment station a considerable measure of the thoughtful 

 planning and consideration it previously enjoyed. Indeed, this has 

 been one of the most noticeable effects of tlie extension work upon the 

 experiment station. Theoretically, the station work has been under- 

 going something of an adjustment to fit it into its new place, but with 

 60 much to divert attention to other channels it has rarely been pos- 

 sible to give it more than secondary consideration. One dean and 

 director, who was also director of extension, recently stated that the 

 extension business had probably occupied nearly or quite three- 

 quarters of his time. 



This is the fault of no one, least of all of the heavily burdened 

 oflicers who are trying to meet the demands of thoir growing work; 

 but it is a condition which seems not to be adequately realized. 



In many ways the station work is most liable to neglect or inade- 

 quate supervision if the administrative head of the college is over- 

 burdened. The station work, being in the hands of capable experts 

 and of a nature which requires time rather than constant direction, 

 will usually run smootiily for an indefinite period, with little likeli- 

 hood of friction or difficulties which call for action. The result of 

 any neglect it suffers is largely a cumulative one, likely to be reflecte<l 

 in the general internal condition, in the program of operations, and 

 a laxity in publication, which in turn affect its highest efficiency. 



To afford anything more than a quite general .supervision of the 

 experiment station and its activities under present conditions will 

 usually require some special provision for it, such as an associate 

 who stands between the dean's office and the various departments of 

 the station. Unless this is done, there is danger that there will not 

 be an intimate contact with the station affairs and that many matters 

 which are vital to the welfare of the station, l)ut in themselves may 

 not be sufficiently insistent to command attention, will be allowed to 

 drift or the situation result in an increasing degree of independence. 

 In only a quite limited number of cases has such special provision 



