Report of the Secretary. 11 



these fertilizers and submitted them to chemical analysis. 

 No better evidence of the wisdom of this course is needed 

 than is afforded by the fact that the average of the fertili- 

 zers now offered in market is over thirty-three per cent, 

 greater than when the first analyses were undertaken. 

 These careful analyses by Professor Collier have been of 

 more value than can well be estimated. The improvement 

 in the character of these fertilizers is largely due to the 

 scrutiny to which they have been subjected. Yalueless, 

 falsified, or deteriorated materials, rejected in other mar- 

 kets ought not to find sale here, and are not likely to be 

 offered while they are subject to chemical inspection. The 

 inducement to put upon the market an article of no value 

 is largely removed, as the attempt to do so is liable to be 

 detected at the outset. The oversight which the Board and 

 similar bodies have exei'cised, has no doubt saved the coun- 

 try thousands and thousands of dollars that would other- 

 wise have been sunk in the purchase of worthless articles. 



By reference to the reports of the business meetings it 

 will be seen that early in the year the Board authorized the 

 Secretary to attempt the establishment of an Agricultural 

 Experiment Station. These Stations have proved of so 

 much value in Europe, and similar institutions have done 

 such satisfactory work in our own country, that it has seemed 

 exceedingly desirable that the State ^of Vermont, having 

 industries somewhat peculiar to herself, should acce]it the 

 advantages which such a station promises. 



Many questions beyond the reach of the ordinary farmer 

 need to be answered l>y accurate experiments. An Agri- 



