The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1890-12-19

fraud. Under this law the college is
charged with the duty of chemical ex.
animation or analysis. The professor Of
chemistry made seven hundred analyses
at the college during two years under
the operation of the law. Although,
at first, the farmers Of the state were
slow in availing themselves Of the priv
ilege Of the law, they are doing so more
and more. As the work increases the
operation and efficiency of the law itself
command more attention.
1t is the object aud the duty Of the
experimental station to conduct original
researches or verify experiments on
physiology of plants and animals the
diseases to which they are severally
subject, with the remedies for the
same the chemical composition Of
useful plants at their different stages of
growth the comparative advantages Of
rotative cropping as pursued under q
varying series of crops; the capacity of
new plants or trees for acclimation |;
the analysis Of soils and waters; the
chemical composition Of manures, nat
ural or artificial, with experiments
designed to test their comparative
effects on crops of different kinds; the
adoption and value Of grasses and for
age plants the composition and diges-
tibility of tho different kinds Of food
for domestic animals the scientific and
economic questions involved in the
production ef butter and cheese, and
such other researches or experiments
bearing directly on the agricultural
industry Of the United States, as may
in each case be deemed advisable, hav-
ing due regard to the varying condi-
tions and needs Of the respective states
or territories.
During tho past season the study Of
the chemical composition of the ash Of
the tomato, and its relation to the plant
foods raised under different conditions
Of fertilizer treatment, has been contin.
ued. The stndy Of the ash compost.
tion of the root and vines Of plants, to
determine how exhaustive crop is on
the soil, has also taken up considerable
attention. The old and new varieties
Of the tomato were tested, and the result
of the experiments will be made known
in the next annual report. There are
now one hundred and fifty varieties Of
the tomato for next seasons expert
ments also eighty varieties Of straw
berry plants growing, and will bear
fruit next season. The practical work
ing Of tile draining is now being tested
and vineyard Of eighty varieties about
to be planted. There have been a
number Of experiments with the sugar
beet, and those raised and analysed
showed very big per cent of sugar.
The Department of Agriculture has
requested that all the beets raised this
year be saved for seed another year.
COST OF PRODUCING PORK.
In the live stock line pigs are being
tested and the cost Of producing pork,
the qualify Of the meat and the relative
costs between the pen and the pasture
fed pig. The dairy animals will be
tested next. aud the effect of different
food upon the quality Of the milk. A
thorough test will be made of the milk
produced by ensilage, which some claim
is unhealthy. The experimental sta
tion is thoroughly equipped, and has
everything necessary to make thorough
tests and experiments in everything of
vital interest to the farm and farmer,
with whom it is already in great favor.
Much is to be expected from both the
college and station in the future. The
geological map of the state, by Prof
Milton Whitney, will soon be COM
pleied.