New York Agricultural Experiment Station. 17 



These stations should continue because of the unsolved prob- 

 lems which confront the agriculturist. Just enough has been 

 learned to show clearly the vast gain that must come from fur- 

 ther investigation. To stop where we are would be to lose richer 

 rewards than have yet been gained. For these reasons we must 

 conclude that the experiment stations have come to stay — that 

 they are a fixed and essential factor in modern agriculture. This 

 being the case, it will be readily conceded that this Station is 

 entitled to such support as will enable it to render the best possi- 

 ble service to the people of the state. 



In what manner and along what lines can this service be most 

 surely rendered? 



The general character of the investigations. — If we base the reply 

 to this question upon experience, the answer must be that the 

 farmer will be best served even from a business point of view by 

 a rigid inquiry into the facts and principles which underlie his 

 practice. The knowledge which, in its application to agriculture, 

 has been in the past fruitful of the best results, is that which has 

 come from investigations in the field of pure science, and this 

 will undoubtedly be true in the future. Tests of theories and 

 illustrative experiments in matters pertaining to the business of 

 farming are useful and even necessary, but all safe and perma- 

 nent advance must proceed primarily from a study of funda- 

 mentals. Judged in the light of these statements then, the real 

 function of the experiment station is to conduct severe scientific 

 inquiry in those lines related to the practice of agriculture, and, 

 therefore, the controlling policy of this Station should be to 

 strengthen and develop its facilities for making such research 

 exhaustive and conclusive. 



The particular field of investigation. — The most profitable field 

 for this research should be determined by the relative importance 

 of the various agricultural industries in the state. It is certain 

 that at the present time, and there are no indications of a change 

 of conditions, dairying and horticulture occupy a commanding 

 position in New York agriculture. Both are greatly aided by 

 our proximity to the largest home markets in this country. The 

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