94 Drrector’s Report OF THE 
are qualified to act in this capacity are in the main only those 
who can speak attractively with authority concerning some special 
subject important to agriculture. Such popular teachers are not 
abundant. For this reason, the members of this station staff are 
constantly sought, not only by the officials who have the institutes 
in charge, but by the farmers themselves, to appear on- institute 
programs, a condition of affairs which looked at from one point of 
view is a proper cause of gratification. It is an omen of good that 
the agricultural masses have come to regard the truths of science 
as useful te them and their art. It is fortunate, also, that the 
scientists at an experiment station have the opportunity to come 
into sympathetic contact with those in whose interests they are 
working. A personal relation is thus established which is pro- 
motive of mutual confidence and understanding. Besides, while 
the farmers may learn much from the student of science, the latter 
may in return gain from the practitioner new views of the rela- 
tions of truth to the art he is seeking to benefit, and thus be 
guided in giving to his researches the direction of greatest useful- 
ness. . 
It is necessary, however, in order to understand the situation to 
view this matter from another standpoint. 
The primary function of an experiment station is investigation, 
not instruction. ‘This statement may disagree with popular opin- 
ion, but it is nevertheless correct. This being true, there are two 
facts which it is important to consider: / 
1. Frequent calls, at intervals: more or less distant, fare service 
as speakers at institutes, is a serious encroachment upon the 
mental status and consecutive effort of the investigator. This is ~ 
true both with reference to laboratory study and to the discussion 
of results. 
The chemist, the botanist or the bacteriologist, when once he 
has entered upon a series of observations is seldom able to turn 
aside to other matters without serious loss, and when in the midst 
of the discussion of results, with his mind saturated with the 
data he is to present, he cannot temporarily transfer his mental 
