10(*>8 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



showed the laboratories and temporary offices of the Department. The 

 relation of this central bureau to the experiment stations endowed by the 

 several States was explained, and figures were given showing the extent 

 <uid resources of the organisation. Throughout, the primary object is 

 economic, and the advancement of the science of breeding, though an 

 inseparable consequence of such experiments, cannot be admitted as an 

 aim in itself. 



The work of raising or introducing new breeds and varieties, with us 

 a field for private enterprise almost entirely, is, together with the dis- 

 tribution of information, a main purpose of these State-endowed 

 stations. That vast opportunities for investigating the problems of breed- 

 ing are thus continually provided will be evident, and great consequences 

 are anticipated. Nevertheless the scientific work of these institutions is 

 admittedly hampered by the incessant need for economic successes, and 

 some doubt may be felt whether the two objects, scientific and practical, 

 can be effectively combined on so large a scale. 



However that may be, the sight of this huge institution, in touch 

 wiih posts of observation scattered throughout the various climates of 

 the Slates, with incalculable possibilities, cannot fail to make a profound 

 impression on an English visitor. Englishmen are well aware that an 

 immense organisation for experimental agriculture has been built up in 

 the United States, but probably few who have not visited some of the 

 institutions themselves can have any real idea of the significance of 

 i lie effort w hich is being made. 



Another vital part of the agricultural organisation is the existence, in 

 all the chief agricultural States, of technical schools. State-endowed, for 

 the training of the young men who intend to pursue agriculture. These 

 colleges are generally in association with the experiment-stations, and 

 have a complete equipment for technical education in farming. The 

 teaching provided is free to all residents in the State, and it is declared 

 that the consequences of this system, in the improvement of farm-manage- 

 ment and in the general position of the farmers, are already evident, at all 

 events in the Western States. 



W hether the slender provision that we at home have made for the 

 attainment of these objects can be regarded as adequate or safe, in the 

 interests of the community, is a thought very often present to the mind 

 of the visitor from England. 



