350 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



through Germany, and into other countries, till, in 18G8, there 

 were no less than twenty-eight stations in full and successful 

 operation ; and now the number is increased to sixty-two, sus- 

 tained largely by governments, but with the co-operation of 

 individuals and agricultural societies. They have proved 

 themselves of immense service, and are rapidly increasing in 

 number and efficiency ; while, at the same time, the agricul- 

 tural colleges and schools are more numerous, and better sus- 

 tained, than they are in this country. 



But an experiment station costs money. The trustees of 

 the Agricultural College have not the means to organize it 

 without the aid of the Legislature. The French Government, 

 always studious of the interests of the people and its own 

 financial strength, sent a thoroughly competent man, M. 

 Grandeau, to visit and study the experiment stations of Ger- 

 many ; and he reported to the French minister of agriculture, 

 that a useful station could be started for six thousand dollars, 

 and that it would cost three thousand dollars a year to main- 

 tain it. The expenses of the Prussian stations vary from 

 eight hundred to four thousand dollars a year, according to 

 the completeness with which they are organized and equipped, 

 and the number of scientific men employed. They would 

 cost more in this country ; but the cost will depend very 

 much upon the amount and kind of work required of them. 



The work of an experiment station requires not only land suf- 

 ficient for field-operations, but especially chemical and physio- 

 logical laboratories. All these appliances are at hand at the 

 Massachusetts Agricultural College ; and it would involve 

 little additional outlay on the part of the State to organize a 

 station on the most thorough basis. The quantity of land 

 required for experimental purposes is not large. A portion 

 of the college farm could be set apart for these objects with- 

 out material detriment to the interests of the institution, 

 while the laboratories would furnish immediate facilities for 

 scientific investigation. 



Every farmer recognizes the fact, that most field experi- 

 ments, to be of any great general and permanent value, re- 

 quire to be carried on through a series of years, and that they 

 require great expense. But that they pay, and pay abun- 

 dantly, for the outlay, is now universally recognized by farm- 

 ers throughout Germany, who contribute largely and cheer- 



