




13 
ing and studying the various factors which in their 
complex entirety find expression in yield of crop. The 
report of the trials made will, I think, substantiate this 
expression of doubt, and may well be studied in their 
details, as such study will show that the results of experi- 
ments designed as duplicates do not give the same answer 
in different years, nor even do the closer duplicates of the 
current year, and that a logical interpretation of the figures 
as given bring us to conclusions that are absurd. It is only 
as the figures obtained are arranged according to a precon- 
ceived notion, and figures contradictory to our. intentions 
are rejected, that definite conclusions can be reached, and 
of course when reached by this unfair and untruthful 
method, such conclusions can have no value. I must use 
this opportunity to again express my firm conviction that 
it is only through scientific investigation that practical 
results can be secured, and that plat work is absolutely fall- 
acious, and should be abandoned for the present, the plat 
areas being used only for the purpose of verifying results 
reached through the slower and more laborious method of 
working which carries us safely from the known towards 
the unknown. 
Our feeding experiments of the year bring forward sev- 
eral points of interest, and illustrate the difficulty of inter- 
preting results which are the outcome of complex con- 
ditions. The feeding of two animals upon unchanged kinds 
of food during the period of experiment, throws some light 
upon some variations which may and do occur under un- 
changed conditions of food and keeping. Such trials as 
these demonstrate the necessity of further study, designed 
to give information as to how to interpret results gained 
through change of food or changed conditions, for at pres- 
ent we are at a loss to so interpret our feeding experiments 
as to demonstrate the relations of cause and effect, but have 
to be content with probabilty, more or less high. 
The work of the first assistant upon cereals has been close 
and unintermittent, and the establishing of synonyms has 
been so carefully and cautiously effected as to be worthy of 
the highest confidence. The nomenclature of our cereals 
is in such an uncertain and involved state, that this work 
of the station must be considered of prime importance. 
Agricultural research upon plants and plant life, cannot be 
carried forward efficiently until we are able to identify 
varieties so as to be assured that the results of work carried 
forward at different stations applies to the same variety, or 
to the variety which is named. Such work is also import- 
ant for the farmer, for the same grain is often sold under 
several different names, and a different price for each name. 
In accordance with our custom of making a specialty of 
