46 THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



reports received from county reporters, and with informa- 

 tion received from a salaried agent in each state whose duty 

 it is to inspect and supervise the work of the voluntary 

 reporters. This bureau also collects numerous agricultural 

 statistics relating to foreign and domestic agriculture. This 

 latter was the principal object contemplated under the ori- 

 ginal federal appropriation for agriculture in 1839. 



States Relation Service 



Prior to the reorganization of the department in 191 5. this 

 unit was known as the Ofifice of Experiment Stations, be- 

 cause it had been established primarily for the purpose of 

 supervising and coordinating the work of these State institu- 

 tions. As a result of the more logical re-grouping of the 

 department's activities, its scope was enlarged to include the 

 supervision of practically all of the work involving direct 

 cooperation with state agricultural institutions, including the 

 very extensive work contemplated under the Smith-Lever 

 Act of May, 1914. The functions of this bureau are thus 

 almost entirely regulatory and educational. It does, how- 

 ever, carry on important research work in the field of home 

 economics and methods of agricultural education. An ex- 

 amination of its cooperation with state institutions will form 

 an important part of the following chapter. 



Office of Public Roads and Rural Engineering 



While this unit is not officially designated as a bureau, it 

 does have very nearly the same administrative status. It is 

 one of those units which has no independent statutory basis, 

 l)ut exists solely l)y virtue of the annual appropriations 

 made by Congress. 



Its chief function is the investigation of methods of road 

 construction, maintenance and management ; experimenting 

 with various kinds of road materials ; and giving expert 

 advice relating to these subjects. Since the reorganization 

 in 1915, it also investigates and advises upon questions con- 



