Jan. 1923] ankual report 6 



shire is fortunate in having a closer relationship between extension and re- 

 search workers than exists in most of the other states. The work in both 

 lines is directed from the same office; the two staffs are kept in close touch 

 with each other; and both join in an annual conference at which suggestions 

 for the extension program and also the Station projects are carefully con- 

 sidered. 



Hand in hand with the consideration of problems peculiar to New Hamp- 

 shire also go those deeper investigations into the underlying causes of ag- 

 ricultural phenomena which are required by the Federal Adams Act. Through 

 its Adams projects the Experiment Station makes its contribution to the 

 national fund of agricultural science also with long-time results in view. 

 Half of the Federal appropriations are expended in this type of work. 



The appropriation by the State Legislature of $12,000.00 for the biennium 

 has made it possible to hold the staff together and to maintain the projects 

 in the face of the depreciated currency. It has not been sufficient, however, 

 to effect the necessary broadening of the work, which the station must face, 

 if it is to perform its maximum service to the agricultural interests of the 

 state. 



There are many problems crying out at the present time for research action 

 which cannot be attacked with present funds. Among these are feeding 

 experiments with beef cattle and dairy cattle (fattening experiments as 

 distinct from the nutrition investigations in the respiration chamber); re- 

 search in the interests of the poultry industry; laboratory work in animal 

 pathology, and bacteriological studies of specimens sent to the station for 

 analysis; research in the interests of forestry; a thorough-going handling 

 of the apple scab menace; investigations in home economics; and research 

 studies in the marketing problems. 



Most important of all, however, is the need for investigations in various ' 

 sections of the state relative to soils and crops. It is impossible to conduct 

 locally the experiments which are needed to determine facts for the agri- 

 culture of these sections ; this is partlj' due to soil and topographical conditions. 

 The Experiment Station needs to establish plots in representative areas and 

 to follow out on these plots a series of field experiments carefully planned 

 and followed with minute accuracy and impartiality. Such experimental 

 work would form the structure of extension work along this line during the 

 next generation, and its importance to the agriculture of the state can hardly 

 be overemphasized. Extension work has achieved its success and popu- 

 larity largely because of the accumulation of knowledge which has not been 

 previously built into the agricultural practice of the state; but unless we 

 develop this foundation now into a superstructure for extension work along 

 regional hnes, we shall have failed in our leadership. While it would be de- 

 sirable, if possible, to conduct investigations along other hnes, such as those 

 mentioned in the preceding paragraph, it is imperative that this fundament- 

 al work in soils and crops should not be longer delayed. 



The report on the work for the past year will be considered by projects 

 under the heading of the three main types of funds, Adams, Hatch and 

 State, and Miscellaneous. 



