DIRECTOR'S REPORT. 



To the Honorable Board of Control of the New York Agricultural 

 Experiment Station: 



Gentlemen. — I have the honor to present the report of the New 

 York Agricultural Experiment Station for 1896. It is not neces- 

 sary for me to remind you that I assumed the duties of Director 

 on July 1, 1896, and that during the first half of the year Dr. L. 

 L. Van Slyke, as Acting Director, ably and faithfully adminis- 

 tered the affairs of the Station. A sense of obligation impels me 

 to acknowledge my indebtedness to him for the aid he gave me 

 in taking up my new work, and I am equally grateful for the con- 

 sideration shown to me by all members of the Station staff. I 

 am confident that this pleasant beginning is a forecast of such 

 cooperation and sympathy as are essential among a body of men 

 who are intimately associated in a common effort. 



The Status of the Station. 



It seems entirely proper that when an institution passes over 

 to the immediate charge of a new executive head, there should 

 be presented to the governing board a definite and comprehen- 

 sive statement of its condition. This is desirable as furnishing 

 the necessary starting point from which to proceed to whatever 

 changes or enlargements that may seem advisable. 



I take the liberty, therefore, of laying before you a review of 

 the condition of this Station as I found it on July 1. 



Location and general surroundings. — It is a matter for congratu- 

 lation that the Station is well located, both agriculturally and 

 socially. It is in the midst of one of the most fertile and pros- 

 perous farming regions of the State which has an almost world- 

 wide reputation for its production of nursery stock and fruit. 



* Published also as Bulletin No. 116. 



