14 Director's REPORT OF THE 
ones we most need to know, we should begin to probe more 
deeply and laboriously beneath the surface of things. There is, 
moreover, a pronounced tendency now evident in many quarters 
to withhold the publication of conclusions until they are abun- 
dantly justified by data, a most healthy and encouraging symptom 
in experiment station activity. The members of this Station 
believe in trying to enter upon the policy thus outlined and it is 
to be hoped that in so doing they will have the sympathy and 
loyal support of New York farmers. 
It should be remembered that this policy means the publica- 
tion of fewer bulletins than might otherwise be issued if the 
practice of compilation and profuse writing were adopted. 
THE WORK OF THE STATION DURING 1899. 
On subsequent pages there may be found summaries of the 
work carried on during the year 1899 by the various departments 
of the Station. These include a brief review of facts and con- 
clusions contained in the year’s bulletins as well as a statement 
of the nature and bearing of experiments and investigations, the 
data from which are not yet sufficiently complete and concern- 
ing which nothing has yet been published. It so happens that 
just now the unfinished work is large. It embraces several in- 
vestigations in plant nutrition, animal nutrition, cheese curing, 
horticulture, bacteriology and plant pathology: 
The availability of certain insoluble phosphates to several va- 
rieties of plants. 
The relative importance of potash and soda in plant nutrition. 
The effect of fineness upon the availability of crude phosphates. 
The plant food needs of fruits and the effect of certain plant 
food elements upon their quality. 
Relative economy of different systems of feeding crops. 
A study of apple cider and vinegar. 
The source of milk fat and observation on the use of food by 
milch cows. 
