The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1877-06-01
Agricultural Experiment Station in Mary
Land,

Upon several occasions we have called at
tention in our columns to the Importance
and in fact the necessity, of an Agricultural
Experiment Station in this State for the ben
eft and protection of our farmers, and we
are gratifed to sec that i'll several of the past
issues of that sterling agricultural periodical,
the American Farmer, OF Baltimore publish
ed and edited by the old veteran in agricul-
tural literature, Samuel Sands, and his talent
ed son, w. B. Sands, that the subject is very
deliberately discussed. In the May number
in an article on the need for an Experiment
Station, it is said
"The State could well afford to appropri-
ate the very moderate sum which would be
required to provide and equip such an insti-
tuition, and the expense of its maintenance
would be insignificant as compared with the
public aid afforded almost every other save
the agricultural interest.
In Connecticut, where the first of these
Stations in America was set in operation
about year ago, under the efficient direc-
ton of Prof. Atwater, IA pupil of Prof
Johnston and a chemist peculiarly qualified
for the work by training in the Experiment
Stations of Germany the work has been al
most entirely directed, so far, to examination
of the character and value of the commercial
fertilizers sold in the State, but ii is not such
Investigations alone that are to be prosecut-
ed, although they offered the most urgent
claims upon the early attention of the chem.
lists. Even in the future very considerable
proportion of the enquiries ut these Stations
will for n long time bear upon that question,
but their scope is far wider, and in this State
many topics connected with the amelioration
of our soils, and the production of our staple
crops, will come early under examination"
1t is not to be understood that the foun-
dalion of these Stations implies or developes
any antagcnism towards manufacturers and
dealers in artificial fertilizers. The converse
is true. In Connecticut, all parties making
or selling these wares Elm the State were in
vited to a conference, and an agreement was
made by which they placed their articles
under the supervision of the Station" and
guaranteed that their customers should al
ways get what they bought-the minimum
of nitrogen, potash, phosphoric acid &c, in
each brand being determined. In all cases
of dispute or doubt the Station was TO be
made the examiner and umpire.
Tie outcome has been most satisfactory to
the dealers as well rs to the farmer. No fer
tilizers are now sold in the State that are not
under this supervision; and we suppose they
could not be sold at any price. Some poor
and doubtful compounds have been driven
out of the market, but the trade of all repu-
table firms has been greatly augmented from
the confidence now prevailing in the place
of former uncertainty and distrust.
AT the Connecticut station all analyses for
public use are made gratuitously; those for
private purposes are charged for at mode
rate rate. The law gives a purchaser re
course for damages where the fertilizer falls
short of the guaranteed composition"
We would suggest that in accordance with
the idea presented by our Senator to the Leg
islature at its past session, the Maryland
State Agricultural College should be utilized,
by establishing in connection with it such
an Experiment Station, so ably recommended
by the american Farmer, and which they
have in Connecticut in connection with the
Middletown University; and we trust our
next Legislature will provide any additional
legislation which may be necessary to effect
this desirable object.
We notice by the June number of the
american Agricultu,ist that North Carolina
has walked up, and organized an Experiment
Station, which will at once exercise con.
troll over the fertilizer trade similar to that
which exists in Connecticut