2 EXPERIMENT STATION EECOED. [Vol.35 



tion and its workers on the part of the public, the governing board, 

 and the administrative officers. It reflects the encouragement and op- 

 portunity given the station, and the feeling as to the success and 

 effectiveness of the work as a whole. 



Eight conditions are just as essential to success as the right kind 

 of men, and these two essential elements can not be separated with- 

 out influencing the general effectiveness. Favorable conditions are 

 not alone a matter of funds or size of institution, or geography, or 

 equipment, or even of being let alone. They are a matter of spirit, 

 of leadership, of sympathetic encouragement and protection. 



In these respects the situation has steadily improved and in general 

 is most commendable — better in some places than in others, of course, 

 but such everywhere as to make enthusiastic, ambitious workers, with 

 confidence and pride in their station. Despite one or two disquieting 

 evidences that tenure is not yet wholly a matter of merit, there was 

 uniform evidence of a broader and more appreciative view and a 

 better understanding of the requirements of station work. None of 

 the stations visited have stood still ; most of them have shown such 

 distinct advancement as to make them unquestionably stronger, more 

 influential, and in better condition than they have ever been before. 

 Including as it does some of the newer country where development 

 has been more tardy, the situation is most gratifying. 



The credit for this progress rests back in large measure upon the 

 personnel of the stations, the respect and support they have been able 

 to command, the opportunity and protection accorded them. The 

 men make the station, given the opportunity, and a station can not 

 rise above the level they represent, no matter how generous the sup- 

 port. It is strange that this is not fully realized, for failure to ap- 

 preciate it results in false economy. 



No one can come into personal contact with the station workers 

 on the field of their activity without being impressed with their zeal 

 and industry. They are an unusually busy group of men, keen and 

 alert, and with a zealous interest in the jDroblems of the region which 

 is blind to personal hardship or self-sacrifice. There is something 

 remarkably fine in the spirit of service, of accomplishment, which ties 

 these men to their field, particularly in the newer country where the 

 appeal seems especially strong. It becomes a devotion ; a man's life 

 and personality seem centered in the new country and the j'oung in- 

 stitution, and the advancement of these seems almost to be a personal 

 aspiration with him. 



The position of such men has been well stated by President Wil- 

 son, in a recent address in which he characterized the motives of 

 men engaged in scientific work. He said : " There is something very 

 intensely appealing to the imagination in the intellectual ardor which 



