satisfactory or else the appearance of new problems along this line that 

 demand serious consideration. 



In the prosecution of its deliberations your Commission has pro- 

 ceeded with the understanding that the term "agricultural research" 

 means the scientific investigation of unsolved problems that have a 

 direct or indirect relation to agricultural practices or conditions and 

 that it does not mean either academic or popular instruction or agri- 

 cultural propaganda. Your Commission also understands tliat in the 

 broad sense its inquiries should include : 



1 . The preparation of the investigator. 



2. The environment under which the investigator can most 

 efficiently do his work. 



3 . The functions and relations of the agencies to which agricultural 

 research is entrusted. 



A discussion of the status of agricultural investigation in the 

 United States in the light of the conditions which are generally 

 regarded as best promoting the efficiency of scientific inquiry, if made 

 with a view to suggesting improvements, will necessarily require some 

 emphasis upon whatever is regarded as unfavorable to agricultural 

 research at the present time. To prevent misunderstanding arising 

 from a critical analysis of the existing situation, any further state- 

 ments should be prefaced by a merited recognition of the great benefits 

 that have come to agriculture from the scientific agencies which either 

 have arisen, or have been greatly developed and strengthened, during 

 the past twenty-five years. It is hardly necessary to assert that the 

 elevation of agricultural thought and practice and the more complete 

 conservation of our fundamental resources are an abundant justifica- 

 tion of whatever effort has been made. 



In presenting the results of our deliberations it seems unnecessary 

 to review in detail the steps which mark the rise and development of 

 the agencies for agricultural education and research in this country. 

 Briefly, the facts are that two systems have grown up side by side: 

 First, the state system of agricultural colleges and experiment stations, 

 sustained in part by the national government but controlled and to a 

 large degree supported by the several states; and second, the national 

 system, embodied in the United States Department of Agriculture, 

 originally designed and still largely serving as an investigating agency, 

 but to which very extensive executive functions have also been 

 assigned in recent years and which likewise exercises important 

 educational functions. All other agencies for agricultural research, 

 while doing valuable work in individual cases, are in the aggregate of 

 minor significance in a broad view of the subject. 



