Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-08-15

tion record Tho seventeenth volumn Of
this publication has recently been com
pleted and includes abstracts Of the puh-
lications OF tho agricultural experiment
stations IN This country, of our depart
mont of agriculture. the researches Of OK
pertinent stations and similar inetitli-
'ions in all parts or the world and a
large number Of articles have direct
bearing upo1 agricultural scier1n. In
short, 4 Is a world review ~ agricultural
experimentation and enjoys the distinc-
tion NJ being tho only journal Of this kind
published under governmental or private
auspices.
EXPERIMENT STATIONS.
During the last year tho work Of the
office of experiment stations included tho
supervision OF expenditures of federal
funds by tho agricultural experiment sta
tons throughout the United States; con-
ferenCes and correspondence with station
officers regarding tho management. equip
ment and work of tho stations, the ColleC-
ton and distribution e information re-
garding progress Of agricultural e1uca
ton and research throughout the world
by means Of technical and popular bulo-
tins: the mana cement OF the agricultural
experiment stations in Alaska. Hawaii
and Porto Rica: special Investigations of
the nutrition Of man; on irrigation and
ORA image, conducted largely in different
States and Territories. and the promotion
Of the interests Of the agricultural col
leEes and schools and farmers institutions
through the United States. 1t was the So
called Adams act, providing for an in
creased annual appropriation for agri-
cultural experimental stations, that mat
crially broadened and increased the duties
and responsibilities of the Office having
in charge this branch Of the government
service. That law requires the secretary of
agriculture annually to ascertain and GER
tify TO the secretary o. the treasury AS
TO each State and Territory whether IL
IS complying with the provisions of this
act, and IS entitled to receive its share
Of the annual appropriation maGe for
this purpose" The secretary Is also re-
CURED to make an annual report to Com
Eress Of the receipts and expenditures
and work Of the stations in all the States
and Territories.
WHAT Is "ORIGINAL RESEARCH ?"
Determination Of what really constitutes
Original research" In agricultural prob
lens has been no easy matter. It has
occasioned much discussion regarding the
nature and scope OF such work IN
relation to the conditions existing in the
several states and Territories. the men to
be selected Investigators. the means
and appliances needed to make the work
undertaken successful. The policy OF tho
office Is 70 endeavor to formulate and
hold to such general problems IN the ad-
ministration OF the law as appear most
likely to secure the efficient use OF the
Adams Fund "for research work OF a
h!g. and substantial character and ut
tho same time TO safeguard tho autonomy
OF the stations and raise their work and
It's results in the estimation of their farm
er students" or course this involves
much additional correspondence and per
sonal conferences IN order that tho hest
results may he obtained II is tho hope OF
the office that through the cultivation
Of more thorough acquaintance with the
managers and workers OF our councils
OF the association of American agricul-
tural colleges and experiment stations IN
become a gathering and dissemination NJ
sound views regarding tho aims and
There are experiment stations in
Alaska, Hawaii and Porto Rico. In
Alaska all Investigations have been CON
fined to the working out Of certain de
finite problems. For example, at tho
Sltka station attempts nj grain growing
have been abandoned, but the cultivation
OF the cereals is made the main feature
~ the work Mt the Copper Center and
Rampant stations. Mt both Of which are
large areas OF land capable of cultivation.
or the work In Alaska, Mr.. g. f.. George
son, NJ s, special agent IN cha rye, sends
an Interesting report from Stka, where
the principal offices arc maintained. the
work OF the other stations being directed
from that point Tho experimental
work AT Sitka," he writes, Consists very
largely OF horticultural Investigations
which include not only all of the gar
den crops, hit bush fruits as well, and
some experiments with orchard fruits,
particularly apples, cherries and plums
The station has heen propagattng, Guilt
waiting and distributing considerable
amount of nursery stock with n view "a
scertaining what II any varieties are
suited to Alaskan conditions" II appears
that about thirty of the hardest varie-
ties of apples have been secured from
various sources and their growth and
hardness are under observation. Advan-
tagc have beeen taken of the occurrence
OF a native crab apple which is used
quite successfully as a stock on which a
number of varieties are grated. In ad-
dition 10 tests of Strawberries. raSphcr-
ries and currants, the experts are now
trying to domcsticate the wild species of