INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS DURING THE YEAR 1873. cix 



sickly, and abnormal. It appeared that in the latter there 

 was no formation of starch. The general result of the ex- 

 periments was that the building of starch in the chlorophyl 

 grains, and, in consequence, the growth of the plant, is de- 

 pendent upon the co-operation of potassium in the cell fluid. 

 The functions of the other ingredients of the food of the plant 

 are being studied, and with promise of most interesting re- 

 sults. 



One very important function of the experiment stations, 

 especially in Germany, is the control of the trade in commer- 

 cial fertilizers, which is exercised by means of chemical anal- 

 yses made at the stations. The value of these manures is de- 

 pendent upon their composition, and, by these analyses, 

 frauds are detected, and the relative values of good wares 

 determined. The savin sj to the acjricultural communities 

 where the stations exist, by the exercise of this control, and 

 the consequent improvement of the quality of the ferti- 

 lizers used, amounts to many times the whole cost of the sta- 

 tions. 



In Germany this control system is being extended to the 

 examination of seeds sold for sowing, and several stations 

 have been started during the past two or three years for this 

 .especial object. 



Among the stations lately established is one at Lodi, in 

 Northern Italy, for experiments in dairying, and especially 

 cheese manufacture. 



Besides the labors of the experiment stations, those of 

 Boussingault, in France, who still continues his very valuable 

 researches, and of Voelcker, in England, who works under the 

 auspices of the Royal Agricultural Society, are too important 

 to be overlooked. It is also a cause of great gratification to 

 the friends of agricultural science that Mr. Lawes, who, in 

 conjunction with Dr. Gilbert, has been carrying on for more 

 than a score of years the well-known experiments at Rotham- 

 stead, in England, has provided by a munificent bequest for 

 their continuance after his death. We also take great pleas- 

 ure in recording the fact that at a Farmers' Convention, held 

 under the auspices of the Board of Agriculture of Connecti- 

 cut, in December, 1873, steps were taken to>vard the estab- 

 lishment of an experiment station in that state. 



