1909.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 31. 15 



and the men necessary for carrying on the work, which at that 

 time was not true of any other existing State institution. These 

 reasons do not now have equal force, but as the station has been 

 so developed both on the side of material and personal equip- 

 ment as to provide for this work, it would seem best that these 

 laws, at least for the present, be executed by the station. It 

 would seem best, indeed, that the station be charged also with 

 the execution of such additional control laws as shall in the 

 future become desirable. Already we may anticipate the wis- 

 dom or necessity of laws to control the trade in seeds, in 

 insecticides and fungicides, and perhaps in still other direc- 

 tions. Laws to control the trade in insecticides and fungicides 

 are already much needed. National and State authorities and 

 the manufacturers have for some time been studying this sub- 

 ject. It is hoped that in the near future a law which seems 

 likely to prove mutually satisfactory will be agreed upon, and 

 it seems wise, therefore, to defer State action until such a 

 law can be framed, or until it becomes apparent that the neces- 

 sary understanding cannot be reached. Uniformity in the 

 laws affecting the trade in these materials throughout the Union 

 is greatly to be desired, on account of the fact that it is not 

 confined within State lines. Most of the manufacturers un- 

 doubtedly do an interstate business. 



It is service coming under the third of the three classes 

 which I have enumerated which appears at jiresent to be most 

 appreciated, and which is most in demand. Under this class 

 must be placed such diverse activities as the publication of 

 reports, bulletins and circulars, answering letters of inquiry, 

 preparation of articles for the press, practical demonstrations 

 and object lessons, exhibitions at fairs, and lectures by members 

 of the station staff. Under this class must be placed, also, the 

 various requests for information which can be given only after 

 analyses or other special laboratory examinations or tests. The 

 amount of time consumed in meeting the demands of the public 

 for work of this description is very great, and so rapidly does 

 the demand for service along these lines increase, that there is 

 undoubtedly great danger that the time available for experi- 

 ment and research may be seriously curtailed. The following 

 summary will give a general idea of the amount of work in- 



