EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Vol. XII. No. 5. 



Much attention has been given during the past 3^ear to questions 

 relating to the more perfect organization of the experiment stations. 

 As the stations develop, the importance of a clearer definition of 

 the functions of different officers in administration and investigation 

 becomes more apparent. Conditions which existed when institutions 

 for higher education and research were established in this country 

 have materially changed, and the old forms of organization are now in 

 many cases a serious hindrance to their best development. 



The experiment station is by law organized as a department of the 

 college with which it is connected. It diifers from the ordinary col- 

 lege department in being charged with the work of investigation, 

 rather than instruction, and in having definite relations with a great 

 industry, for whose promotion it was especially established. Through 

 its correspondence, publications, inspection service, and association 

 with the farming community it has an increasing amount of business 

 not immediately relating to its investigations but requiring special 

 knowledge and skill for its successful discharge. To do most effective 

 work the operations of the station must proceed in accordance with a 

 well-matured plan which involves the cooperation of different mem- 

 bers of the staff. 



So extensive and important has the business of the stations become 

 that their proper management requires the time and energy of an execu- 

 tive oflicer, or director. In some cases it may still be possible for the 

 director to conduct investigations in some special line or do a limited 

 amount of teaching, but as a rule he can do little beyond attending to 

 administrative duties. In a number of institutions prudential reasons 

 of various kinds have led to the combination of the offices of president 

 and director. Whatever justification there may have been for this in 

 the past, there is little excuse for it at the present. The duties of the 

 college president are too manifold and onerous to permit his giving 

 much attention to the special needs of an experiment station. His 

 directorship almost necessarily becomes a nominal affair. This arrange- 

 ment has not worked well, and should be universall}^ abandoned. 



As regards the business of the station, the director should be clothed 

 with a large measure of authority and consequent responsibility; should 



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