8a EXPERIMENT STATION. [Jan. 



ESSENTIALS FOR NEEDED DEVELOPMENT. 



In the last annual report there was presented a statement 

 covering the more essential requirements for the normal devel- 

 opment of the station work for the next five years, which was 

 prepared at the suggestion of the Special Commission on Agri- 

 cultural Education at the Massachusetts Agricultural College 

 and the Development of the Agricultural Resources of the Com- 

 monwealth. Some progress has been made during the year in 

 meeting these needs. 



Arrangements have been completed for the purchase of the 

 Tillson farm, though it will still be necessary for the next three 

 years for the station to pay the sum agreed upon for the annual 

 rent, which, however, under the plan adopted, will be directly 

 applied toward the payment of the purchase price which will 

 then be met in full. 



Two lots of land are still needed, as described last year, viz., 

 the Tuxbury land which is leased for orchard experiments, and 

 a suitable poultry farm. It seems necessary to present again 

 these two important projects for development, that they may 

 be kept in mind by the followers of the station's work. 



The Tuxbury land includes a total area of about 30 acres, of 

 which 18 acres are now leased by the station, and the remainder 

 consists of sprout land. It is estimated to cost now about 

 $12,000, but the price is sure to increase. A large part of the 

 leased land is planted to apple orchard for the experiment with 

 stock and cion relationships. The trees will barely have reached 

 the period of most profitable production at the expiration of the 

 lease. Ultimate ownership is highly desirable, and it seems the 

 part of wisdom to acquire the property at as early a date as 

 possible. 



The area desired for a poultry farm is about 60 acres, and it 

 is estimated that such a farm will cost $8,000. We have for 

 some years been compelled to lease land on which to raise 

 young stock, and this policy is quite unsatisfactory. 



Building needs have not been met and remain as described 

 last year, viz., house, barn and sheds for the Tillson farm, 

 buildings for the poultry department, an addition to the build- 



