EXPERIMENTAL STATIONS. 247 



rainfall on this continent, render the experiments made in 

 one State inapplicable to the agriculture of another State. 



The first experiment station was established at Bechell- 

 ronn, near Strasburg, on the estate of M. Jean-Babtiste 

 Boussinggault, professor of rural economy in the Conser- 

 vatory of Arts at Paris, in 1835. In 1852 the Leipsic Agri- 

 cultural Society founded the station at Moeckern, which was 

 the parent of all the German institutions. 



The importance of this humble beginning may be seen in 

 the multiplication of stations in Germany, and in the rapid 

 progress of the German people in scientific agriculture. 



In 1879 there were seventy-nine experimental stations in 

 Germany, spreading the results of their investigations all 

 over the world. All Europe has been stimulated by this 

 example ; so that there are now supported by the several 

 governments one hundred and twenty-three stations, pursu- 

 ing every branch of research that may assist agriculture or 

 horticulture. 



The work of these stations is classified by Dr. A. R. Ledoux 

 as follows : — 



I. — Control of the trade in commercial fertilizers. 



II. — Control of the sale of seeds 



III. — Control of the sale of feeding-stuffs. 



IV. — Experiments in the cultivation of plants and crops, 

 and experiments with manures. 



V. — Chemical and technical investigations. 



VI. — Investigations of animals in health and disease, and 

 feeding experiments. 



VII. — Physiological examination of plants. 



VIII. — Examination of soils. 



IX. — Examination of wines, and experiments with the 

 vine. 



X. — Study of the diseases of plants and ravages of insects. 

 XL — Examination of milk and milch-kine. 



XII. — Propagation and preservation of forests. 



XIII. — Cultivation and improvement of fruits. 



XIV. — Experiments in reclaiming and cultivation of 

 swamps, moors, and barrens. 



XV. — Silk-culture. 



XVI. — Manufactures relatinof to apiculture. 



XVII. — Experiments relating to the sugar industry. 



