New York AqricutrturaAL ExprEriment STATION. in 
Europe, in order to become familiar with current subjects and 
methods of European research. 
At the time of my last report, the election of a botanist was in 
contemplation. After looking the field over thoroughly, it was 
decided not to go outside of the Station staff in order to fill this 
position. The work of Mr. F. C. Stewart, who was located at 
Jamaica, L. I., pursuing investigations immediately related to the 
interests of Eastern New York, had been so satisfactory and pro- 
motive of practical benefit, that your committee having the mat- 
ter in charge concluded to transfer him to the main Station, where 
he could have larger and more efficient facilities for the investiga- 
tion of plant diseases. His work will now have a relation no less 
important to the agriculture of the Second Judicial Department 
than was the case under the former arrangement. Mr. Stewart 
has spent several months of the past year in Europe pursuing 
studies in plant pathology, returning to his work in August. 
THE NEW BIOLOGICAL AND DAIRY BUILDING. 
The most important accession to the Station buildings so far 
secured is the new laboratory which is designed to accommodate 
the departments of investigation along biological and dairy lines. 
Its erection was begun in September, 1897, and completed in 
September, 1898. 
The accompanying description and cuts show as clearly as pos- 
sible its appearance, construction and apparatus equipment. 
The historical facts relating to the action of the Board of Con- 
trol, legislation and the work of construction can best be presented 
by an extract from the report of the chairman of the building 
committee, Hon. A. C. Chase. 
“On October 6, 1896, the Board of Control of this Station re- 
quested the director of the Station to prepare such plans as he 
might deem necessary for the erection of a building to accom- 
modate the biological and dairy departments of this institution. 
At a subsequent meeting of the Board held in Albany on Janu- 
