4a P.D. 3i 



REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR. 



Sidney B. Haskell. 

 Organization under the Purnell Fund. 



Since my last report the resources of the Station have been increased by the 

 passage of the national Purnell act. This brings to the Station additional Federal 

 appropriation, commencing at $20,000 annuallj^ in 1925, and increasing yearly 

 until a total of S60,000 is expected to be reached in 1929. The Station is now in the 

 middle of its second year under the Purnell fund appropriation. 



As with other govenunent funds, expenditures can be made only on the basis 

 of project approved at Washington. In certain of their aspects these problems 

 are of regional nature, in which the Station cooperates -with, other experiment 

 stations in fulfilling the purposes of the Purnell act. 



While the bill authorizing the appropriation of funds is somewhat general, yet 

 it specifically contemplated three lines of work to be carried out under this fund: 

 namely, in agricultural economics, in farm management, and in home economics. 

 Following the provisions of the bill, therefore, the efforts of the Station have been 

 intensified in these three lines. 



The first outstanding product of the Purnell act in the field of agricultural 

 economics was in participation by the Station in the New England- wide survey of the 

 New England orchard industry. This gives to actual and potential orchardists 

 means of estimating production in years to come. It gives the industry an op- 

 portunity had by no other similar industiy to anticipate a constantly growing 

 market program. It shows what may be done by well thought out economic 

 research for the guidance of agricultural industries. 



Work in farm management was not formally organized until the very end of 

 the year (1926), although it was projected a year earlier. This contemplates 

 detailed study of the competitive position of the more important farm enterprises 

 of Massachusetts. It is expected that tliis work will be valuable in two directions: 

 first, in giving our growers certain standards of efficiencj^ to which they must 

 approximate if they are to meet the competition of these other regions; and second, 

 in gi\'ing our educational forces a body of data on which to base their work. In 

 times past lack of such fundamental data has been responsible for much poorly 

 directed effort. 



Research studies in home economics were instituted in the fall and winter of 

 1925 and 1926. The subject chosen was "Food Consumption of School Children 

 in Relation to Health." This was frankly a survey study, designed to determine 

 the facts in the field, and to find where, if at all, the research service of the Station 

 may be of service to Massachusetts country life. For the purpose of making the 

 study the College loaned to the Station the services of Miss Helen Knowlton, 

 Assistant Professor of Home Economics. She gave good service. On account 

 of difficulties in filling the place permanently, it was not possible to effect final 

 organization until toward the end of 1926. 



Work of a different nature has been instituted in the departments of horti- 

 cultural manufactures and of dairy manufactures. The central thought in both 

 has to do with food conservation, partly through prevention of waste, partly 

 through manufacture, and finally through relieving market glut by enabling 

 producers to remove a part of their product to be manufactured and placed on the 

 market at other seasons. In the department of dairj^ manufactures there is the 

 added objective of developing ways and means through which manipulation of 

 dairy products in milk-handling depots, creameries and ice-cream plants may be 

 made more efficient and kept under better control. 



To a very small degree increased resources due to the Purnell Fund have been 

 used in supporting existing projects, particularly those in the department of poultry 

 husbandry. In the genetics work of this department data have been accumulating 

 beyond the ability of the available force of the Station to analyze and adjust. 

 For this reason a small apportionment was made to the department, by means 

 of which this work is being cleared up. 



