EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Vol. XXXV. Jui.y, 1916. No. 1. 



Some of our strongest impressions are gathered from seeing with 

 our own eyes and experiencing by contact the things going on about 

 us. It is so with the progress of the experiment stations. We may 

 read about it in their reports and hear about it at meetings, but only 

 through coming into contact with these institutions in their local 

 environment can an adequate idea be had of their scope, variety, and 

 vital place in the community, as well as the actual conditions under 

 which they are working. 



Such an opportunity for study is given by the annual visitation of 

 the stations, made by representatives of this Office. And as several 

 years usuall}^ elapse between the visits of the same individual, the 

 chance is offered for measuring the growth and comparing the gen- 

 eral situation. Taking account of any obstacles in the local situation 

 as w^ell as of the favorable conditions, the sympathetic if critical exam- 

 ination on such occasions seeks out the good quite as much as the 

 weak, and in this attitude endeavors to gain a true perspective. It 

 is a most interesting and stimulating experience — more so as the de- 

 velopment goes on. In no other way can a fair vmderstanding and 

 a just appreciation of the stations be acquired. 



A recent tour of a section of the South and West has given op- 

 portunity to come again into intimate contact and association with 

 the stations in that region, and to see them at work in their own 

 particular fields. The trip suggests some thoughts and impressions 

 which, while not necessarily confined to that section, apply particu- 

 larly to the stations there. Although they naturally present many 

 and often wide differences, taken as a whole they are tj'pical of the 

 progress and the spirit of the present stage. 



No one could pretend to study the work of an experiment station 

 in a visit of two or three days, but by close, appreciative attention 

 he may gain a knowledge of the men comprising the force, get an in- 

 sight into their work, catch something of the spirit and atmosphere 

 which dominates the institution, and gather an impression of the 

 general situation. The latter relates to the conditions Avithout as 

 well as within the institution — the general attitude toward the sta- 



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