264 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Jan., 



and in our community. It is unanimously in favor of a gen- 

 erous appropriation to this Experiment Station. We know 

 its operations too well to doubt in regard to the benefits which 

 it confers upon the farmers of this State. 



The matter of fertilizers has been alluded to ; I want briefly 

 to mention another matter, and that is, the testing of seeds. 

 Our Experiment Station has given some attention to that 

 matter, and what has been the result? I will tell you. The 

 leading seed dealers in the country, when they import seeds 

 from Europe, now, import them with a warranty as to their 

 vitality, and, if I understand tlie matter right, they will not 

 agree to pay for them unless they come up to a certain test. 

 How was it before ? We all know how we have been swin- 

 dled with poor seeds. But this is only one thing. There are 

 numerous problems which are yet unsolved. There are some 

 things which may be regarded as probabilities, but they can- 

 not be regarded as certainties. We want these gentlemen at 

 the Experiment Station to make demonstrations there, in the 

 interest of farmers. 



Now, I agree with Mr. Hinman. I know, from having 

 been a member of the legislature, that it is a fact that when 

 a matter of this kind comes up before the legislature in which 

 farmers are vitally interested, the strongest opposition comes 

 from the farmers themselves. This thing ought not so to be. 



The Chairman. The chair is very glad to see such enthu- 

 siasm on this subject. Gentlemen seem to be proud of show- 

 ing their hands, and he hopes they will be as proud of showing 

 their hands before the legislature in favor of the enactment 

 of this law. The chair is happy to see a gentleman present 

 from whom we shall all be glad to hear on this subject — Prof.^ 

 Johnson. 



Prof. Johnson. Prof. Brewer has been asked the question 

 how much was wanted for the Experiment Station, and he 

 very modestly said, " we will take what we can get, five thou- 

 sand or ten thousand dollars, and make the best of it." 

 Now, this is a practical question, and we might as well face 

 it fairly and squarely now as ever. The station wants a build- 

 ing built for and adapted to its purposes ; just as a creamery 



