152 Canadian Record of Science. 
of seeds and other work of a similar nature. It is a class of 
work which, while important in its way, makes no demands 
upon original powers, and does not call for high scientific 
capacity. To saddle it upon those who are qualified for 
work of a high order, is to seriously limit their usefulness 
and mar such results of scientific value as they may obtain. 
To divert the appliances of well-equipped stations to such 
purposes, is to belittle the object of their foundation. It 
should rather be relegated to separate institutions of a 
special character, or placed in the hands of a distinct 
staff. It is probable, however, notwithstanding the short 
period within which their growth lies, a careful observer 
will note that, from the first, there has been a decided 
tendency towards the position first defined and assumed by 
the more conservative. Men of better capacity are con- 
stantly working to the direction of these institutions, as 
pebbles come to the surface of sand, and with this change 
there is necessarily less poorly directed effort, with more 
results which will bear scientific scrutiny, and thus the 
output is becoming of greater value with each year. Act- 
ing as a central bureau, the Department of Agriculture at 
Washington collects all the valuable material as issued, and 
publishes it monthly in such a digested form as renders it 
of direct value to the farmer, with whom rests the final 
reduction to practice. This may be regarded as the ideal 
method of bringing the results of scientific inquiry within 
reach of the farmer of average education and opportunity. 
It cannot be doubted, however, that the final solution of 
the difficulties now but too obvious will be satisfactory. 
My object in thus bringing out the characteristic features 
of these institutions in other countries is that we may more 
clearly understand the particular field which is being culti- 
vated in Cauada. 
Work on the Central Experimental Farm at Ottawa was 
commenced in 1887. The first report was issued in 1890, 
followed by a second—the last up to date—in 1891. The 
Director, Mr. Wm. Saunders, is assisted by a staff of nine 
chiefs of departments, including an Agriculturist, Horticul- 
