154
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Title
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154
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Transcription
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Professor Bessey always took a great interest in the development and progress of the agricultural colleges and experiment stations. During the early eighties he had considerable to do in connection with the plans of the federal Department of Agriculture looking toward the establishment of state agricultural experiment stations supported in a measure by federal aid. He finally defined the duties of such experiment stations in a paragraph which was later adopted verbatim as a part of the law known as the Hatch Act. It is also of local interest that he wrote the first and second annual reports of the Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station in 1888 and 1889.
At about that same time there was considerable agitation in the state to sell the Experimental Farm or "State Farm," but Dr. Bessey threw the full weight of his influence against that movement and after a vigorous campaign the agitation ceased and the movement was defeated.
Professor Bessey was the author of many technical and semi-popular books and papers. Besides his books and numerous technical papers he wrote much for the agricultural press and for the more or less popular audience. For considerable periods of time he was associated editorially with a number of botanical and other scientific journals. In this capacity he was often called upon to review the published work of others. He held very decided opinions as to what constitutes a review of a scientific book or paper. He felt that what the botanical world wanted was a glimpse of what such a book or paper contained rather than criticism of the bad points which h might have indicated. He very seldom wrote an adverse note. Enthusiastic in his praise of good work he was occasionally somewhat harsh in the condemnation of obviously worthless or grossly misleading material. Even this infrequent tendency was not altogether unpleasant for the victim, however, because everyone knew the kindly spirit which Professor Bessey issued even his criticisms. He always sought to temper criticism wherever possible and he seldom spoke or wrote an unkind word. He tried to do the good and the pleasant
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Rights
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