12 a EXPERIMENT STATION. [Jan. 



previous to the erection of buildings, purchase at a very early 

 date seems highly desirable. 



Tuxhury Land. — Total area about 30 acres, 18 of which are 

 improved land and about 12 acres sprout land; estimated cost, 

 $12,000. 



The experiment station now leases 18 acres of this land, and 

 a large part of this is planted to apple orchard. The experi- 

 ments in progress are of fundamental importance, and it is al- 

 ready apparent that they cannot be completed within the period 

 which the lease still has to run, — about fifteen years. None of 

 the trees have been permanently set more than two years, and 

 a large part of them were set last spring. They will barely 

 have reached the period of most profitable production at the 

 time of the expiration of the lease. It would be a great mis- 

 fortune should it be terminated at that time; and, since the 

 purchase price is certain to increase, and since ultimate owner- 

 ship is highly desirable, it seems the part of wisdom to acquire 

 the property at as early a date as possible. 



A Poultry Farm. — Area desired, about 60 acres; estimated 

 cost, $8,000. 



The poultry department is engaged in breeding experiments 

 of such a character as make necessary the rearing of very large 

 numbers of fowls. These cannot be satisfactorily raised except 

 under conditions where free range over uncontaminated areas is 

 possible. The area at present available is far too small. We 

 have for some years been compelled to lease land on which to 

 raise young stock. This policy is quite unsatisfactory both on 

 account of the fact that we must frequently go a much greater 

 distance than is at all convenient, and because the prices which 

 must be paid are high. 



Summary. 



Tillsonfarm, ^5,000 



Tuxburyland, 12,000 



Poultry farm, 8,000 



Total, $25,000 



