The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1888-03-28
PURDUE UNIVERSITY.

Some or the Results of the Working Agri-
cultural Experiment Station at Purdue.
President Smart reports some interesting
matter in connection with the agricultural
experiment stallion at Purdue university,
from which we Gull some interesting
points. The bill establishing the Purdue
experiment station required the trustees
to organize it July /, 1887, but through
T. clinical defect in the bill the appropriG-
tion necessary was Tot made Immediately
available. BY recent act OF congress the
defect in The bill IVES remedied, and ii is
expected that the amount of money due
for the present fiscal year, viz: fifteen thous-
and dollars (S15 000) will be received be-
tween nov and its close. The truste es
however, decided to go on with the expe ri
meIt tai work from and after July l, 1887 &,
and also TO make active preparations for
the more thorough organization of the
station when the money should bee ONE
ayeilable.
The organization of the station from
July l, 1887, to Dec. 81, 1887, was as
follows viz.
william c. Latta, NJ. s., Experimental Agri-
culture.
James Troop, NJ. s., Experimental Hortieul.
ture.
Henry A Huston. A NJ, A.C., MeteoroIogy,
Francis NJ. Webster, Economic Entomology.
These gentlemen have spent portion
of their time in experimental work, the
remainder in college duties. The work,
however has been highly satisfactory.
Prof. Latta has already published de-
tailed account of the experiments with
wheat, including tests of varieties, rates of
seeding, mulching, cultivation, commercial
Fertilizers, etc.
The most of the work done in the fall of
1887 by Prof. Lalta was in preparation for
q wider range Of experimentation during
the coming agricult ursl season. A report
Of Prof. Tt oops work in hor ticulture, up
to Dec. 81, 1887, will appear in G
bulletin at no distant date. Prof. Webster
Is connected with the u. s. bureau of ento-
mology, and makes his reports directly to
the department at Washington.
The cooperative stations hsve been
maintained, and efficient work has been
done in them. The results will be pub.
lished in future bulletins.
Expenses for the maintenance of the
station frem the 1st OF July, 1887, 10 Dec.
81, 1887, have been provided for by tempo
rary drafts on the university funds. This
amount will be returned to the university
treasury by 8 transfer warrant 30 soon as
the station money becomes available
1t Is believed that the station has been
organized not only in accordance with the
law, but also In accordance with the best
inter ests of the people of Indiana.
While some experiments may be in their
nature Immediately conclusive, aud may
have high local value, it must neverthe-
less be remembered that scientific agricul-
tursl investigation requires much time and
repeated verifcstion. Hasty conclusions
are misleading. and frequently lead TO the
most disastrous results. Too much, there
fore, should not be expected of station
during the first two or three years of its
| existence.
There is another field OF Investigation
which is of the highest economic value to
the state, and one which must be occupied
as fast and as far as possible, IL the station
Is to accomplish its purpose. The question
| how to produce larger and better crops ID
an important one, but the question how tC
prevent the enormous destruction Of
| grains, fruits, and OF domestic animals
/ through disease, Is also an important one
| Millions OF dollars are lost in Indians
every year by improper methods OF cult
walton, millions by fungus diseases, and
millions by insect ravages. 1t is estimated
that In the United States the loss from In
sect ravages alone amounts to $500, 600, 00'
annually.
II the Purdue station should be able
through its experiments. to make ever,
dollars worth OF our farm products wortl
s1.01. or IL We can add per cent to tn
annual yisld, 1t viii be worth 5000, 90