318 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Referring to the .success of the experiment sttitions '' in leading the 

 way to the improvement of agricultural practice on a grand scale," the 

 Secretary points out the need of larger funds for these institutions, 

 and commends the matter of additional aid from the National Govern- 

 ment for consideration. Frequent mention is made in the report of 

 cooperation with the stations, as a means of carrying the field of obser- 

 vation and experiment and the inlluence of the Department to the var- 

 ious sections of the country. The Bureau of Plant Industry is coop- 

 erating- with more than 4(> stations in the improvement of forage crop 

 conditions, the extension of the w^ork on cereals, the testing of new 

 seeds and plants, demonstration work in the treatment of plant dis- 

 eases, and numerous other lines. Announcement is made that the 

 Department is considering the wisdom of undertaking systematic coop- 

 eration with the stations in the development of types of domestic ani- 

 mals suited to varying latitudes and conditions, with a view to greater 

 ecouomj' in production. This would serve to round out the work of 

 the Bureau of Animal Industry, and would furnish the initiative and 

 the means which are necessary for entering upon work of this char- 

 acter in a scientific manner. 



There are many indications that the Secretary regards the stations as 

 important agencies through which the Department should operate in 

 extending its work throughout the country, and appreciates the mutual 

 aid which these closely related agencies can render each other. 



Referring to the aid which the Department is preparing to extend 

 to the farmers' institute organizations of the various States, the Secre- 

 tary states that "it is difficult to realize the extent and importance of 

 the farmers' institute movement and its vital relation to the successful 

 incorporation of the results of scientific investigations in our agricul- 

 tural practice," and points out that '"it is of the greatest importance 

 that our adult farmers shall receive definite information regarding 

 improved methods of agriculture and the principles ^v"hich lie at the 

 foundation of progress in agricultural practice." 



The main part of the report is occupied with a brief survey of the 

 scientific w^ork of the Department and its administrative functions. 

 This indicates not only the broad field the Department is covering in 

 its investigations of problems related to agriculture, but the extent to 

 which its work is at present specialized. The litter constitutes an 

 element of strength and is one of the important developments in the 

 recent reorganization. 



Some of the larger enterprises which are prominently mentioned 

 are the eradication of the foot-and-mouth disease in New England, 

 which was accomplished in a little over five months at a total expense 

 of less than $300,000, the aid which is being rendered in the introduc- 

 tion of forestry methods on public lands and in the management of 



