The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1897-08-19
EXPERIMENT STATIONS.
Information Concerning the State Agr
cultural Stations and Their Bulletins.

Information Concerning the State Agrt-
cultural Stations and Their Bulletins.
Special returns from about half of
the agriculture experiment stations of
the United States TO American Agricul-
turist indicate that these institutions
are very much appreciated by farmers,
Judging from the increased demand for
their publications. Following are some
of the details given by the journal al
ready quoted in an article on what the
state agricultural stations are doing:
With most of the stations the work
dates from the passage of the Hatch act
and the establishment of the experiment
stations in 1883 or 1889. The number
of bulletins now issued vary from 3, 600
and 4, 900 in the sparsely settled states
and territories to $4,000 in the rich
populous middle states; 10, 600 TO a.
900 would probably be a good average
for all the states.
All the stations without exception
send their bulletins to residents through
out the state free Of charge who apply
for the same to the officer in charge at
his postoffice, as specified below. The
annual reports are sent free to all appH-
oants as long as the edition lasts. AS a
rule this supply is somewhat limited,
but is usually sufficient to meet the de-
mand. The stations also send free of
charge bulletins to all applicants out
side the state, but reserve the right to
discontinue these, provided the home
demand becomes sufficiently large to ez-
haust the supply. 1t is the desire Of all
the stations to keep the list outside the
state as small as possible, SO as to be
able to supply their home farmers first.
As the work of the stations becomes bet
ter known it will undoubtedly be i'm
possible to supply this outside demand.
To meet this call the United States de-
partment of agriculture at Washington
issues farmers bulletins that are fur
nished free to all applicants, each issue
being on one topic, and including the
results obtained at the various stations.
AS another evidence of the apprecia-
ton by the farmers of the experiment
station is the fact that the correspond
ence has doubled and in many cases
quadrupled during the past six years.
In great many states there is still
misapprehension on the part of some
farmers. Stations do not distribute
seeds, neither can they undertake inves-
legations of a private nature or which
will benefit only few, such as the
analysis of a soil peculiar to certain
locality, unless by so doing large pro-
portion of the farmers of the state are
the gamers. In other words, the work
Of the station cannot be devoted to indi-
viduals. All questions concerning agri-
cultural problems are answered and the
stations are rapidly becoming centers of
agricultural influence. 1t is their desire
to become better acquainted with every
farmer in the respective states. Where
thorough understanding exists the
kindliest feeling between station and
people Is the rule. Much valuable in
formation can be obtained by simply
asking your station for it. The institu
tons were founded for the farmers.
Why not make full use of them? Each
station receives $4,000 annually from
the federal treasury and in few cases
an additional sum from the state.
In addition to the foregoing American
Agrioulturist gives in condensed form
the number Of bulletins published, to
whom sent, etc.