Inasmuch as the results of experimentation and research are made 

 current chiefly through printed records, it will be proper for the Com- 

 mission to consider the means and methods of publication. 



A discussion of the attitude of the public towards research in agri- 

 culture would seem to be one of the consequences of the deliberations 

 of the Commission. 



It is desired that the Commission make a report of its opinions for 

 the information and guidance of the Association. There are no 

 instructions as to the extent or specific character of the report, or the 

 time when it shall be presented. The Association wants the benefit 

 of the opinion and advice of able and impartial men who have taken 

 time to arrive at a conclusion. 



The Association has purposely and wisely made up this Commission 

 of three sets of men; one set having intimate knowledge of technical 

 research in agriculture; orte representing the policy of government 

 and one looking at the questions from the outside from the standpoint 

 of large, general attainment and wide public interest. The opinions 

 of this Commission will have lasting effect on the trend and policy of 

 agricultural research in the United States. This is the first united 

 effort to study these great questions broadly and judicially. The 

 Association will await with much interest the results of your delibera- 

 tion ; and in the nam^e of the Association I wish to extend my thanks 

 to the members for their willingness to serve in this new interest of 

 American science, and to congratulate them on the pleasant and help- 

 ful relationships that I am sure will follow. 



The Association has made no appropriation of funds for the use of 

 the Commission, leaving this question in abeyance until the Commis- 

 sion should be organized and the necessities of the work should be 

 apparent. The Association has no funds to appropriate to large new 

 work. It was thought that about the only outlay would be traveling 

 expenses of some of the members. I think that the Commission should 

 discuss the subject of expenditure and make a report or recommendation 

 of the. subject, if necessary, for the consideration of the Association at 

 its meeting next month. Doctor W. H. Jordan is a member of the 

 Executive Committee of the Association and can inform you as to the 

 policy and resources of the Association. 



Yours with best wishes, 



(Signed) L. H. Bailey. 



Your Commission submits the following report in two parts : Part 

 one, dealing with investigation for the promotion of the art of agricul- 

 ture, and part two, with the social and economic phases of agricultural 

 research. 



Part I. Investigation for the Promotion of the Art of Agriculture. 



There is implied in the adoption of the resolution authorizing this 

 Commission either a doubt as to whether the organization and policy 

 now pertaining to agricultural investigation in the United States are 



