Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1897-09-13
EXPERIMENT STATIONS.

Information Concerning the State Agrl-
cultural stations and Their bulletins.
Special returns from about half OF
the agriculture experiment stations OF
the United States to American Agricul-
tu-ist 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 agricr ltural 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 5000
and 4, 600 i'll the sparsely settled states
and territories to $4,000 in the rich
populous middle states; 10000 to IA
600 would probably be a good average
for all the states.
All the stations without exception
send their bulletins tOresidents through
out tho state free of charge who apply
for the same to the officer in charge at
his postoflice, as specified below. The
annual reports are sent free to all appli-
cnnts as long az the edition lasts. AS
rule this supply is somewhat limited,
! but ia usually sufficient to meet the de-
| uand. Tho 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 ex-
haust the supply. 1t is the desire Of all
the stations to keep the list outside the
state as small ms 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 ut the various stations
As another evidence of the apprecia-
ton by the TURNER'S of the experiment
station is the fact that the corresponds
ence has doubled and in many cases
quadrupled during the past six years.
In a great many states there Is still u
misapprchension on the part of some
farmers Stations do not distribute
seeds, neither can they undertake inves
legations of private nature or which
will benefit only few, such as the
analysis of soil peculiar to certain
locality, unless by so doing large pro
portion of the farmers of the state arr
the gamers. In other words, the worl
of the station cannot be devoted TO indi
yiduals. All questions concerning agri
cultural problems arc answered and tn
stations are rapidly becoming centers o
agricultural influence, 1t is their dosir
to become better acquainted with ever,
farmer in the respective states. Wher
/ thorough understanding exists tn
kindliest feeling between station an
: people is the rule. Much valuable ii
: formation can be obtained by simpl
= asking your station for it. The institu
3 tons were founded for the farmers
; Why not make full use of themi Fac
station receives $4,000 annually froI
the federal treasury and in n few case
an additional sum from the state.
d In addition to the foregoing America
i Agricuturist gives in condensed fori
tho number of bulletins published,
whom sent, etc.