EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Vol. XXIV. March, 1911. No. 3. 



Those who are familiar with agricultural development in this 

 country under the stimulus of Federal legislation will find much of 

 interest in plans which are now being formulated for the develop- 

 ment of the economic resources of Great Britain through govern- 

 mental aid. These plans are the result of a most comprehensive act 

 of Parliament known as the Development and Koad Improvement 

 Funds Act, which although not restricted to agriculture seems likely 

 to lead to far-reaching benefits to that industry. 



Under the terms of the Development Act, as the measure is com- 

 monly known, there is provided a board of development commis- 

 sioners, upon whose recommendations advances may be made by the 

 Treasury for aiding and develojDing agriculture and rural indus- 

 tries, forestry, the reclamation and drainage of lands, the general 

 improvement of rural transportation, the construction and improve- 

 ment of harbors and inland navigation, the development and un- 

 provement of fisheries, " and for any other purpose calculated to pro- 

 mote the economic development of the United Kingdom." These 

 advances may be either as grants or loans, and may be made to a 

 Government department, such as the Board of Agriculture and Fish- 

 eries or the Board of Education, or to an educational or other public 

 institution, or to an association of persons not trading for profit. 



The funds available for the purpose consist primarily of what is 

 known as the consolidated fund, for which the act ajDpropriates the 

 smn of $2,500,000 annually for five years, beginning with April 1, 

 1910. To this may be added any special appropriations which may 

 be made subsequently, or any gifts or legacies which may be forth- 

 coming. The fund is available until used, and any revenue derived 

 from such sources as interest or profits in the repayment of loans or 

 the sale of farm products may also be utilized. 



The development commissioners mentioned above constitute the 

 administrative body in charge of the fund, and are five in number, 

 appointed by the King for terms of 10 years each, the tenure being 

 so devised that the term of one member expires every two years. 

 Two of the commissioners may receive salaries not to exceed $15,000 

 a year each, and the board as a whole has the power of appointing 



201 



