Connecticut western news., 1876-01-07
CONNECTICUT TAKING THR LEAD.

The fact, of which many are aware, that Farmers Experiment station is estab- lished in Connecticut, was brought promi- nently before the public anew at the farm ers' convention lately held in Winsted, at which report of progress was made by the director, Prof.. Atwater. The estab- lishment of this station is the result of the state board of agriculture, aided by an of fer of $loOOby Orange Judd Esq, of Mid dletown, toward defraying expenses; which was supplemented by one from the uniYer- sity granting free use of abundant labora- tory rooms and facilities in the Hall of Natural Science donated by MT. Judd to the university. Under these circumstances the legislature voted $2soo per year for two years for the establishment of station.
 In response to an invitation from the trustees of the university, the Connecticut state board of agriculture and the farmers general state committee on experiment sta tions gathered at Mlddletown on October 18th to consult as to the policy and work of the station. During very pleasant and harmonious meeting the sympathy, coop eration and support of these representative bodies were most heartily assured, and an advisory committee of leading farmers of the state was appointed to cooperate with the authorities of the station In the plan ming and prosecution of it's work. We have no space here to describe in full the plans and details of experiments contem- plated in progress. Long experience else where has shown that researches of purely scientific character bring ultimately the most valuable results for practical agricul- ture. At the same time some work of a } directly practical nature is new in progress
 During the past summer a large number of specimens of hay, clover and other forage crops, grown under different circumstances and cut at different periods of growth, were collected in order to determine their rela- sative value. One subject of vital interest to } every farmer in this state is receiving spe- cial attention, l. G., commercial fertilizers. 5 Our farmers have reached point where they see the necessity of using more ma nure than they produce on their farmers.
 The station at Middletown has taken hold of this matter in way that means busi- ness. The farmers of this state spend, without doubt, over half million dollars per year for fertilizers--probably million doilars-and they would proftably spend more if they could be sure ot getting good articles. What we want is control sys. tenn as efficient as they have in Germany. |, It will not only be 8 saving to farmers, but will encourage honest dealers to sell good wares, and thus increase their profits, Swhile fraud would be driven from the market.
 a4zTo' aid in the regulation of the trafic in these articles is'the fixed determlnation of the station. To this end the advisory com d mittee, with the director, invite the dealers in and customers of fertilizers to meet at Judd Hall, Middletown, January 18th, 1876, at II a. m., and by fair discussion of the subject, to agree upon plans for the accomplishment of so desirable an object. The moEsment is an important one, promising 4Nhch benefit to Connecticut farmers, and the state has done we'll in ta- king the lead in such an nterprise.-Hart- 2 J0r6 C0IrGnt. ..ss4e 5t.l.- -.