702 EXPERIMENT STATION EECOED. 



How remarkable, therefore, that these same agricultural institu- 

 tions should in so short a period have become great centers of investi- 

 gation and in a measure set a pace for it which has been reflected in 

 many other classes of institutions. It is probably not too much to 

 say that they have been the greatest single agencj^for stimulating 

 research in its varied branches by force of their example and success, 

 their closeness to the people, and the confidence and understanding 

 which they have won for experimental inquiry. Agi-icultural investi- 

 gation has shown, as no other class of investigation had previously 

 shown, the direct practical relations of such activity' to every-day life 

 and to human welfare, and has popularized it in the mind of the 

 people. This interest has been extended to the various departments 

 of science in general. 



With this widespread acceptance and approval of the stations by 

 the general public has come an increasing realization of their achieve- 

 ments and opportunities by the scientific world. Tlie impreasion for- 

 merly more or less current in scientific circles that agricultural inves- 

 tigation was hardly comparable in quality with the research carried 

 on at endowed universities and similar institutions is rapidly becom- 

 ing dispelled. To-day tlie stations are not onl}' recognized as im- 

 portant and valued factors in the advancement of knowledge and its 

 application to the improvement of mankind, but as possessing manj'^ 

 and unique advantages as fields of opportunity for the man with 

 high scientific attainments and the desire to carry on research. 



Conditions have radically altered since the days when station posi- 

 tions were, as a class, too often thought to offer little of promise to 

 such a man. The station staffs have come to include some of the 

 best-trained men in the countr3^ In biology, chemistry, physics, and 

 other sciences, vacancies in the station ranks are being sought by 

 candidates of high qualifications as comparable with, and in some 

 respects even preferable to, opportunities open to them elsewhere. 

 It may be of interest to note briefly some of the reasons for this 

 change of attitude and some of the considerations which now render 

 these positions so attractive. 



In the early days of the experiment stations their resources were 

 small and their outlook for development uncertain. They themselves 

 were looked upon as experiments and had first of all to demonstrate 

 their right to existence. A full-fledged system of purely research 

 institutions was impossible under these conditions, and a period of 

 transition was inevitable. 



With the small funds at the disposal of the stations it was necessary 

 to practice economy in all directions. Equipment was frecjucntly 

 inadequate and suitable laboratories, library facilities, and similar 

 needs were too often wanting. Even the number of men which an 

 institution could afford to maintain upon its staff was greatly limited. 



