The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-08-24

The North Carolina Experiment Sta
ton was the second Station established
in the United Stated and the first to re
ceive recognition by any State Legisla
ture. 1t is now a Department of the
North Carolina College of Agriculture
its maintenance are derived entirely
from the Federal Government, by an
Act of Congress popularity known as the
Hatch Act.
In conformity with the purposes OF
the Station expressed in the Hatch Act,
the North Carolina Station has endeay-
ored to enrich agricultural literature by
the acquisition of knowledge derived
from studies in the field, stable and lab
oratory and diffusing useful information
not hitherto within easy reach of the
people OF the State. lit has endeayored
in all its bulletins to express what Is
said in language which shall be plain
and ineligible to the farmers whose IN
terests it aims to serve. The popularity
of its work is shown by the fact that
in proportion to its population, it has a
larger mailing list than any other Elk
pertinent Station III the United States,
and that it receives more questions from
farmers in regard to agricultural matters
than any other, as its postage bill during
last year was greater than that of any
other Station.
BY an act of the General Assembly of
North Carolina, March 18th, 1877, the
North Carolina Agricultural Experiment
Station was chartered as a Department
of the State Agricultural Department,
under the management of the Board OF
Control. On the 21st day of the month
in which the act was ratified, the Board
was organized and elected as chemist
and director of the Experiment Station,
DIR. A. X. Ledoux, of New York, Column
-hia College; University of Berlin; A. NJ,
In. III. University Of Goettingen. lie
served in mis-. capacity from April 10Th,
1877, to October lst, 1880.
Upon -Aprll 18TH, tsfs the Depart
ment was organized at the University of
NORTH Iaronna. anu located at Inapel
Hill. During August, 1851, for the
purpose OF convenience, the station Was
removed to the Agricultural Depart
ment building at Raleigh, and by an act
passed by the General Assembly that
year. During November OF that year
CHARLES W. Dabney, Jr., of Virginia,
hampden- Sidney college; University OF
virginia; y. M, In. ~, GUtLLlnSela, slie-
ceeded DIR. Albert II. Ledoux, as Diree-
tor. On March 2nd 1887, the act OF
Congress, popularity known as the Hatch
Act, was approved, and i'll accordance
with the general plans for Experiment
Station outlined in that act, the General
Assembly on March eth, 1881, ratified
all act authorizing the Board OF agrI-
culture to transfer the Station to the
North Carolina College OF Agriculture
and Mechanic Arts. Tn December Stn,
loo, the Station was formally transfer
red to aud made Department of the
College.
In the meantime H. b. Battle, OF
North Carolina, Il. s., Ph. D., Universe
ty of North Carolina, succeeded TO the
Directorship September 1st, 1887 This
gentleman was succeeded in turn by the
present progressive incumbent, W. a.
Withers, North Carolinian, A. b., A.
NJ, Davidson College, (iellow), Cornel
University.
All the scientific members of the staff
perform College duties. When the Elk
pertinent Station was separated from the
Department OF Agriculture and its con.
nection with the Agricultural College il
continued making the Fertilizer control
ANALYSES for the Department of Agricul-
tlre. by contract for a specific sum. This
expired, however, July LIST, 1899, al
which time the Fertilizer control work
passed to the Board of Agriculture.
RELATION OF THE STATION NC
THE STATE GOVERNMENT.
The expense of maintaining the Station
work is borne entirely by the United
States Government, and no appropria
ton is made for this work by the State
of North Carolina, or by any department
of the State Government.
The Station is under the control of the
Board of Trustees of the North Carolina
College of Agriculture and Mechanic
Arts. That Board is appointed by the
State authorities. and uses its discretion
in the management of the affairs en-
trusted to it, just as any other Board
appointed by State authority does, ex
cept that the State, in accepting the
gift of Congress, obligated itself to ex-
pend the amount in accordance with tbs
purposes expressed in the Act making
the gift.
lit is Il matter Of some regret that the
State should withdraw all support, and
leave it to be maintained solely by the
Federal Government just as soon as thf
Federal Government extended a helping
hand. As science progresses, and as
the demands of agriculture become
greater. it is necessary for the Station
to enlarge its scope or fall behind its
sisters in the work of usefulness. The
Station needs more buildings, enlarged
equipment and additions to its staff, ano
these can not be obtained without in
creased revenue or the curtailing of worl
already begun.