DIRECTOR'S REPORT. 



A. W. Harris, D. Sc, President 3Iaine State College. 



Sir : — I have the honor to submit herewith the report of the work 

 performed by the members of the Experiment Station Staff during 

 the year 1894. 



It will be observed that the size of our report for 1894 is no 

 larger and perhaps not so large as those of some previous years. 

 This fact calls for explanation. It is due to several reasons. 



1st. All of the work performed in 1894 is not reported. None 

 of the data resulting from the investigations now being conducted 

 in the line of plant nutrition have been published since those 

 secured in the spring of 1893. As this work has consumed much 

 time both in the laboratory and forcing house, its omission from 

 the report has quite a material effect upon its size. Again, an 

 experiment in animal nutrition which has now been continued for 

 over eighteen months has received no mention. The object in 

 withholding these data is that more completeness and definiteuess 

 may be secured in the conclusions which we hope to reach. 



2nd. The data of our experiments and investigations are not 

 published with that fullness of detail that is sometimes the prac- 

 tice. These details have a permanent record ; but it is deemed wise 

 not to confuse those who consult our reports with a Inrge mass of 

 figures and observations that serve to bewilder the reader. 



3rd. Considerable of the time of one of the Station chemists 

 was occupied with analj^ses of samples of suspected butter as an 

 aid to the attempt made by Secretary McKeen to prevent the ille- 

 gal sale of imitation butter. The attendance of myself and Mr. 

 Bartlett was also required at court several times. The results so 

 far secured seem to have justified the aid given. It is plain that 

 the dairy interests of the State have in this way been materially 

 aided. 



