288 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



In this matter of feeding stock, it seems to me if we could place 

 equal weights of stock in different pens — pigs, for instance — in- 

 stead of having a single one in a pen, if we could place a number 

 in one pen, and then a number in another, that would give a bet- 

 ter result, because we divide up a greater amount of increase. 

 When we come to show the effect the feeding has had upon the 

 animals, we divide it up, having a greater number of pounds to 

 go on, and we get a more correct result in the division. 



In this whole thing, there are three principles necessary to be 

 kept in view, in instituting the experiments ; that there are three 

 grand divisions into which these experiments can be divided, one 

 of which is to show the rotation of crops and method of culture. 

 Those two are intimately united. They are of practical value to 

 farmers. They wish to know the methods of culture and the 

 proper rotation of crops. Another is testing different varieties of 

 grains, seed and vegetables, showing which are best adapted to 

 certain soils, the ways of developing and the varieties that suit 

 certain methods of cultivation. The next is in testing the quali- 

 ties of different manures. These three things are the great 

 questions of the day in agriculture. 



Professor Daniels. I have been very much interested in hear- 

 ing the remarks that have been made, and I would agree with 

 botl^the gentlemen who have spoken in this : that experimenta- 

 tion is difficult to carry on, and definite conclusions are difficult to 

 reach, on account of the great number of things that are brought 

 in and the great number of elements involved in the experiment. 

 The weather, the different character of the seasons, different con- 

 ditions and different processes, as applied to the soil — all these 

 render it exceedingly difficult, and no absolute results can be 

 obtained. They must be relative, as it has been stated. The 

 experiments which can be carried on generally with uniform action 

 through the colleges, are, I should think, such as have been 

 stated ; the feeding of stock, and the general results that may be 

 obtained from feeding stock in different, definite, prescribed ways, 

 and also in the methods of culture, and in regard to varieties. In 

 regard to varieties of our crops, perhaps nothing so absolute can 

 be obtained, on account of the difference in the climatic conditions 

 in the different portions of the country in which the experiments 

 have been conducted. Our experiments mostly have been these, 

 so far : The comparison of the different varieties — for instance, a 

 comparison of all the varieties of oats that we have, and all those 



