344 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Jan., 



number of Agricultural Colleges and Experiment Stations, and by 

 several hundred farmers, in all of the states east, and some west of 

 the Mississippi, and in several of the provinces of British America. 

 Their extensive circulation is due in large part to the American 

 Agn'cultun'sf, which proposed them to its readers, and arranged, 

 witli the hearty coopsration of several prominent dealers in fertili- 

 zers, to provide the materials, subject to analysis by the writer, 

 and at prices just covering the cost.* 



I may say that both the journal which proposed the experiments, 

 and the parties who put up the fertilizers have displayed a great 

 deal of enthusiasm in the undertaking, doing this, as I happen to 

 know, at pecuniary cost to themselves, and with no prospect of 

 gain other than would come with the credit for encouraoiucr the 

 enterprise. 



GENERAL AXD SPECIAL EXPERIMEVTS. 



These experiments have been of two classes: The first, which 

 may be called general experiments, involved the use of seven or 

 eight or more different kinds and mixtures of fertilizing materials 

 containing nitrogen, phosphoric acid, and potash. These were in- 

 tended to be used bv farmers as a means of leamins: bv actual 

 . trial what fertilizing ingredients would most benefit their soils and. 

 crops. The second class, the special experiments, have been of 

 more complieated character, and have had for their object the 

 study of the feeding capacities of some of our more common culti- 

 vated plants, with special reference to the nitrogen supply. 



THE EEPOBTS AXD THEIR VALUE. 



"With each set of experimental fertilizers were sent blanks, on 

 which the experimenters were requested, if convenient, to report 

 results. I cannot refrain from saying again and with increased, 

 emphasis what I have said in pre\nous reports, that it has been a 

 matter of surprise as well as satisfaction, not only that so many of 

 the experimenters should have taken the pains to make the re- 

 pons. but also that they should have done this so well. 



The trials of the first season were all of the simpler character, 

 and intended, for soil tests. It was, however, my feeling from the 

 start that the experiments might gradually be made to assume a 



*Tbe following firms cooperated in furnishing the materials: Messrs. 

 H. K. Baker & Bro., 21 5 Pearl street. New York; Geo. B. Forrester, 

 188 Pearl street, Xew York; and the Mapes Formitla a>t> Peruvias 

 GcAXO CoMPA>-T, 153 Front street, Xew York. 



