276 International Agricultural Institute, [july, 



The following extracts from Sir Thomas Elliott's report 

 may be quoted as indicating generally the position now 

 occupied by the Institute, and the work which it proposes 

 to perform : — " The magnificent generosity of his Majesty 

 the King of Italy, in the endowment of the Institute, 

 coupled with the almost complete support which has 

 been accorded to the project by the various Powers 

 concerned, have placed the Institute in a position of ex- 

 ceptional stability, and the only question now is as to the 

 manner in which its resources can best be utilised in the 

 interests of agriculturists all the world over, within the limits 

 of the field of action defined by the Convention. 



" It may be said generally that the object of the Institute 

 is to do internationally what the Intelligence and Statistical 

 Branches of the various State Departments of Agriculture 

 endeavour, with greater or less success, to do in their respec- 

 tive countries. The work of the Institute will mainly consist 

 in the collection, arrangement, co-ordination, and publication 

 — with the utmost despatch possible — of the material which 

 those departments can supply. This material differs very 

 considerably in value, in character, and in extent, and if the 

 work of the Institute is to be carried out in its entirety, and 

 with accuracy and thoroughness, it must enlist the active 

 support and co-operation of the various Governments with 

 regard to the extension, completion, and in some cases the 

 modification of their existing machinery. The task of the 

 Institute will in this respect be an exceedingly difficult one, 

 but it may be hoped that through the exercise of the influence 

 of the various delegates on the Permanent Committee, 

 obstacles may gradually be overcome and the necessary 

 information obtained in gradually increasing value and 

 volume. Happily for the immediate success of the Institute, 

 well-organised Agricultural Departments exist in a large pro- 

 portion of the countries whose agricultural position is of 

 importance, and the area from which accurate information 

 as to agricultural matters can from time to time be obtained 

 will even at the outset be considerable. 



"In this connection, I may mention that the Government 

 of Roumania, being persuaded of the importance of the 

 objects of the Institute, has organised a special Statistical 



