HISTORICAL SKETCH. 



The Maine Fertilizer Control and Agricultural Experiment 

 Station was established by the Maine legislature of 1885, which 

 appropriated the sum of $5,000 a year for its maintenance. No 

 provision, however, was made for a building for its accom- 

 modation, so the trustees of the State College offered it 

 quarters, although it was established as an independent institu- 

 tion, and the Board of Managers gladly accepted the offer. A 

 laboratory was provided in Fernald Hall and an office in 

 Wingate Hall — the wooden building, since burned, which stood 

 where the present Wingate Hall is located. This State Station 

 was maintained until the passage by Congress of the Hatch 

 Bill in 1887 placed at the disposal of the University the sum of 

 $15,000 annually for the maintenance of an Agricultural Experi- 

 ment Station, after which it was discontinued. 



The increase in the funds available for the support of a station 

 permitted a considerable increase in the staff of investigation, 

 and a consequent increase in its work, which made increased 

 laboratory and office facilities imperative. To meet this demand, 

 it was decided to erect a new building for the exclusive use of 

 the Station, to be located upon the slight elevation to the east 

 of Coburn Hall, one of the very best sites upon the campus. 

 This building was constructed in 1887. It was built of brick 

 with granite trimmings, and was two stories in height, with a 

 one-story ell. In 1899 the building was enlarged by adding a 

 wing to the south side, thus providing much needed space for 

 food laboratories and the director's office. In the latter is placed 

 the greater part of the station library of about 1,700 volumes. 

 The appearance of the building in these two stages of its devel- 

 opment is shown in the two illustrations. 



