REPORT. 



It is proper, in making this first report of the Hatch 

 Experiment Station since- its consolidation with the State 

 Experiment Station, that its history and organization should 

 be briefly outlined and made a matter of permanent record. 

 The State station was established by act of the Legislat- 

 ure in 1882, with Prof. Charles A. Goessmann as director. 

 Though located on the college grounds and making use of 

 its land for purposes of experiment, it had no direct connec- 

 tion with it, but was governed by its own board of control. 

 Up to the time of consolidation twelve annual reports had 

 been issued and fifty-seven bulletins. 



The Hatch Experiment Station was established under act 

 of Congress, Public No. 112, Feb. 25, 1887. The pro- 

 visions of this act were accepted by the General Court, 

 chapter 112 of the Acts and Resolves of 1887. At a meet- 

 ing of the trustees of the Massachusetts Agricultural Col- 

 lege, held March 2, 1888, it was voted to establish another 

 department, to be styled "The Experiment Department of 

 the Massachusetts Agricultural College." The name was 

 subsequently changed to the Hatch Experiment Station of 

 the Massachusetts Agricultural College, and Pres. H. H. 

 Goodcll was elected director. Five thousand dollars of its 

 income were annually paid over to the State Experiment 

 Station, in consideration of its performing the chemical 

 work required. Previous to consolidation there had been 

 issued seven annual reports, thirty general, three special and 

 seventy-eight meteorological bulletins. 



For several years a growing feeling had manifested itself 

 that the two stations should be united, in the interest of 

 economy of administration, work and result. 



In 1894 an act was passed by the General Court, chapter 

 143, to consolidate the Massachusetts Agricultural Experi- 

 ment Station with the Experiment Department of the Massa- 

 chusetts Agricultural College. Owing to a trifling error, the 



