The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-05-16
AGRICULTURAL.

TIE following extract from the monthly
report of the agricultural department de-
scribes class of institutions now in sue
cessful operation in Germany, France and
other parts Of Europe. We need them in
this country very much: , ,-..'. ''a %,
The stations publish every year the pro-
grammeS of their researches and experi-
mentS, and very materially enrich science
with many valuable discoveries. But their
popularity is chiefly due to the analyses of
fertilizers and the controlling influence
they exercise over their trade. The prices
of analyses are fixed, by the founders of
these institutions, sufficiently low to en-
courage customers, and yet cover the ex-
pense and leave the station a small allow
ance. This prevents the sale of worth
less material by dishonest manufacturers,
and protects the honest dealers as well as
the farmers who use the productions. b.
In France this abuse by manufacturers
OF fertilizers became so great, and so bur-
densome to agricultural industry, that they
endeavored to prevent it, and founded
laboratories charged with the examination
of commercial fertilizers. Among these
laboratories that of Nantes, conducted by
M. Bobierre, has rendered the greatest
service to agriculture. But unfortunately
they are not sufficiently numerous to be
everywhere efficacious in aiding the hus-
bandman. The agricultural societies there
fore decided that analytical laboratories
should be established in every district.
They further demand that information shall
be given to the minister of agriculture con-
corning the exact state of the soil which
they cultivate, and the nature of the fer
tizer used upon it. .".-.a.
The method of inspecting commercial
fertilizers, practced throughout Germany,
is conducted in the following manner: At
ter the manufacturer has prepared certain
quantity Of the fertilizer, the chemist goes
to him Unexpectedly, and has him weigh in
his presence the sacks destined for sale.
lie then takes quantity which he deems
necessary, makes an analysis of it, and
publishes its composition. $50 ,tsss.
But there are stations devoted to the in
vestigation of matter equally important
with that of fertilizers. It's the exaInina
ton of the different seeds offered in large
quantities in the markets. The imperfect
and foul seeds which they very often con-
tain make them a source of great annoy
ance to the planter. The examination of |
seeds, therefore, is highly beneficial. The
stations provide experts who continually |
carry on these examinations of all the |
seeds offered for sale, which, if they are
bad, they condemn, and publish the amount |
of their adulteration. To show the great |
Importance of this measure, as well as the |
very great extent to which these adultera-
tons are carried, it is stated that Mr.. Jas. |
Buchanan, formerly professor in the agri- |
cultural college of Uirencester, England,
who is occupied with the examination of |
different seeds, found that certain speci- |
mems of red clover Of commerce contain
from 1000 to $500 grains of foul seeds
per liter. Specimens of white clover |
showed 1000 to 2l3, 900 grains Of strange |
seeds per liter; while in an equal quantity |
of carnatlon clover, guaranteed pure, he
discovered 43, 800, and in ray grass Of Italy
43O,S00.
Mr.. Charles S. Bigse found in his deter
upon the termination of seeds
that IN different specimens of carnation |
clover the number of grains which grew |
varied between is and 6S per 100; white
clover furnished 40 to 4S per cent. of good |
grains; the ray grass of England, % to "a
per cent. F.; and he found that in specimen
Of ray grass Of Italy only six retained their
terminating faculties. Other instances of
adulteration and presence of foul and use
less seeds in the articles offered in commerce
were cited, but enough have been given to
show the enormous extent to which this
evil is practiced, and the very great value
to the farming community of this branch
Of investigation.
All the researches and experiments of
the stations are very thorough and COM
plete, and therefore of almost infinite value
TO the practical farmer. ..a,. ..-s..aaa