242 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Jan., 



formation regarding the food of man. These investigations 

 culminate, scientifically, in the work with the Respiration 

 Calorimeter of which yon have heard. At least, you have 

 heard about our putting a man in a box and keeping him 

 shut up for a period of time. There have been some very 

 strange stories told sometimes about it. I will not presume 

 to take your time by goijig into a detailed description of it 

 at this time, but in brief let me say that \yith the development 

 of the apparatus we have obtained a method by which we can 

 measure the income and outgo of the body expressed in 

 terms of the chemical elements; that is, we can measure the 

 energy which we take into our bodies and utilize to give us 

 strength for work, as well as that which we utilize to keep 

 our bodies warm. We hav'e been able to devise an apparatus 

 and methods by which the energy, as well as the material 

 received and given ofif from the body, can be measured, and 

 thus we have the means for studying the fundamental laws 

 of nutrition, not merelv for man, but for the domestic animals 

 as well. The same methods, and practically the same form 

 of apparatus, are being used elsewhere in this country and in 

 Europe, for the study of these higher but intensely practical 

 problems. 



Now, besides these studies in the food nutrition of man, 

 we have made meteorological observations, and we have had 

 exhibits of the station at Paris, and at Buffalo, and we have 

 had considerable to do by way of correspondence, and the 

 pviblication and dissemination of the information which v.e 

 have obtained. 



But let m.e speak of two or three of the special subjects 

 which the station has been investigating. 



Those of you who have followed the work of the station 

 know that one of the chief themes of the experimentation and 

 teaching of the station has been the relation of nitrogen to 

 the growth of plants, and the nutrition of animals. Prof. 

 Phelps has talked to you about one and another phase of this 

 inquiry from time to time. It has been pointed out that what 

 was needed in our farming was more nitrogen in the soil for 

 plant food, more nitrogen in plants in order to make better 

 food for animals and man, and more nitrogen in the food of 

 man. The station has constantly endeavored to discover the 

 best means of economizing nitrogen on the farm. Much of 



