78 
Cooperation Between Experiment Stations and the Department of Agriculture. 
E. A. Bryan, of Washington, read the following report: 
Your committee on cooperative work between the experiment stations and the 
Department of Agriculture would respectfully report: 
First. That in the opinion of your committee nothing need be added to the state- 
ment of fundamental principles embodied in the two previous reports of your com- 
mittee. 
Second. That satisfactory progress has been made in most instances in the adjust- 
ment of the details of such work. 
Third. That the views heretofore expressed by your committee of the importance 
of a full and free consultatfon between the stations and the members of the Depart- 
ment in regard to the work undertaken ifi the several States is to be further empha- 
sized, and that attention to this matter would do much to remove possible sources of 
irritation. 
Fourth. That it is with great gratification that your committee learns that the Sec- 
retary of Agriculture has recently issued an order appointing a committee from 
members of the Department charged with the duty of perfecting the details of a 
system of cooperation. 
Fifth. That in the opinion of your eommittee a standing committee on cooperation 
should be maintained by the association. 
Respectfully submitted. 
E. A. Bryan, 
H. H. Qoodell, 
W. A. Henry, 
L. G. Carpenter, 
B. T. Galloway, 
Committee. 
The report was received and the committee continued. 
Rural Engineering. 
W. E. Stone, of Indiana, read the following report from the standing committee 
on agricultural engineering: 
At the last meeting of the Association of Agricultural Colleges and Experiment 
Stations the following resolution was adopted: 
" Whereas the agricultural colleges and experiment stations, as well as the United 
States Department of Agriculture, are broadening their work relating to irrigation and 
farm machinery and other lines of agricultural engineering, and there is pressing 
need of the more definite formation of plans for this work; Therefore, be it 
"Resolved, That this association make provision for the appointment of a standing 
committee on agricultural engineering, to consist of five members, and that it be made 
the duty of this committee to cooperate w T ith the Department of Agriculture in pro- 
moting education and research along the different lines of agricultural engineering." 
Your committee appointed in pursuance of this resolution begs leave to submit 
the following progress report: 
Rural engineering, as defined in Circular 45 of the Office of Experiment Stations, is 
"the science and art of laying out farms, designing and constructing farm buildings 
and works, and making and using farm implements and machinery." 
A careful examination of existing conditions in the United States leads to a belief 
that there should be a strengthening of the courses of instruction in these subjects 
in our colleges, mid the inauguration of comprehensive investigations and research 
work to ascertain the best practice in this and other lands and provide up-to-date 
information for instruction in our institutions of learning. This is equally true 
whether the opportunities for students or the needs of the American farmers are con- 
sidered. The field of practical usefulness for the one and the need of the other are 
alike extensive. In support of these conclusions we submit the following facts: 
The comparatively large areas of American farms makes the laying out and arrange- 
ment of the different fields a matter of special importance to our farmers. In order 
to maintain the fertility of the soil, rotation of crops must be practiced. To do this 
fields should have such areas and such number as will make a regular system of rota- 
tion feasible. This gives an opportunity for the exercise of skill and intelligence, 
and, in connection with the building of roads leading from farm buildings to differ- 
ent parts of the farm, may involve marked economy or serious waste in the expenses 
