212 Forestry Quarterly. 



station, while less essential than natural facilities for research, is 

 important from the standpoint of economy and general efficiency. 

 Construction. It need scarcely be stated that the plant should 

 be built according to a definite plan. The most economical pro- 

 cedure is to construct all the buildings for which there is present 

 need within a short period. The ideal way would be to devote 

 the greater part of the first year to building and acquiring equip- 

 ment. Then this phase of the work would be to a large extent 

 disposed of, and the station force would be free to devote the 

 greater portion of its time to scientific work. A building pro- 

 gram extending over several years is uneconomical because both 

 the cost of construction and cost of supervision will be greater 

 than if all the work is done at one time and under one or a few 

 contracts. The supervision and office routine incident to the con- 

 struction of one building is almost as great as for several erected 

 during the same season. A building program is, however, depen- 

 dent upon the availability of funds, and in any event the plans 

 must always provide for expansion with the growth of the station. 

 The purchase of equipment requires judgment and foresight. 

 This applies not only to scientific apparatus, but to other equip- 

 ment such as tools, wagons, horses, etc. It is poor economy to 

 work with inadequate or unsuitable equipment, but it is almost 

 equally bad to purchase equipment which is not needed or which 

 is unsuitable. More or less waste of this character is unavoid- 

 able where the character of the work is changing from year to 

 year; nevertheless this is a phase of the administration which 

 requires careful study. 



Maintenance. The upkeep of buildings and equipment requires 

 continuous attention. For extensive repairs, the employment of 

 skilled workmen, if available, is generally most satisfactory, but 

 since experiment stations are located at a distance from towns, 

 it is usually impracticable to send for a carpenter, plumber, ma- 

 son or machinist for the small jobs which come up from day to 

 day. A common laborer can often be used as a "handy man," 

 but such men can not as a rule be given much responsibility. At 

 larger establishments, such as agricultural experiment stations, 

 this problem is solved by the employment of a foreman or super- 

 intendent who is made responsible for keeping the entire place 

 in proper condition ; but the average forest experiment station is 

 too small to warrant the employment of such an officer. The di- 



