Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1889-01-12
Scientific Agriculture
TUE FIRST BULLETIN OF THE AaRIcUL-
TURAL EXPERIMENT STATION.

Last June the Board OF Regents
of the West Virginia University at
Morgantown organized the West vir-
ginia Agricultural Experiment Sta
ton, under an act Of Congress giving
them power SO to do, and proving
certain funds to be used every year
for the station. Prot. John A. NY
ers, o gentleman Of practical informa-
ton as well as scholarly attachments,
a graduate of one ofthe best Uni
versities in Germany, was chosen
Director. The staff at present con-
sists Of Prof. Al. X. Whitehill, mete-
orologist, DR.. j. w. Harigan, micro
scopist, William ID Doan, ornitholo-
gist, and A. G. Magruder, dairyman.
The purposes of this Agricultural
Station are to conduct original re-
searches or verify experiments on
the physiology Of pIants and animals;
the diseases to which they are sever
ally subject, with remedies for the
same; the chemical composition Of
useful plants at their different stages
of growth; the comparative advantage
es OF rotative cropping as pursued
under O varying series OF crops the
capacity of new plants or trees for
acclimation the analysis of soils and
water the chemical composition Of
manures, natural and artificial, with
experiments designed to test their
comparative effects on crops of diff.
ferent kinds; the adaptation and value
|of grasses and forage plants; the
composition and digestibility OF the
different kinds of food of domes-
tic animals ; the scientific and ccone
mic questions involved in the pro-
duction of butter cheese; and such
other researches or experiments bear
ing directly on the agricultural in-
dustry of the United States, and this
State in particular, as may be deem
ed advisable.
Director Myers has Just issued
Bulletin No. /, in which he says:
ave will test any kind Of seeds as
to purity and terminating power !;
examine soils, grasses, fodder, feed.
stufs, weeds, insects powders, ferti
lizers, moulds, fungi investigate
| prevailing diseases among animals
and plants; experiment on adapabili-
ty Of various species of grains, fruits,
grasses, and forage crops assist in
organizing creameries and give in
struction in dairy practice, and in.
the art of dehorning cattle. We will
make milk tests Of cattle where pub
lie benefit is derived from the same
and will give instruction in any Of
the methods employed at the Station,
free of charge. We will supply the
farmers with plans for building crca-
meries and equipping same; give
plans for building silos. As soon as
our organization can be perfected.
we hope to be able to carry on with
our work OF popular character,
scientific Investigations that may
contribute original matter for the
advancement Of our knowledge Of
Agricultural subjects"
The director desires the address
Of every farmer in West Virginia in
order that he may send them the
bulletins free. Send your name to
John A. Myers, Morgantown, w. Va.
The Experiment Station is new
and needs the cooperation not only
Of the farmers of the State, but Of
the Legislators. The general Gov
eminent has been liberal to West
Virginia in this respects what will
West Virginia do for herself?