1915] Lewis William Fefser 7 



others. This fact is indelibly recorded in the Bussey Bulletins, 

 which, in almost all cases contain an account of the literature per- 

 taining to the subject under discussion. The work of the Bussey 

 Institution included some of the earliest well-planned and systematic 

 experiments on the field valuation of fertilizers, and in which chemi- 

 cal analysis played an important but subordinate part. This is 

 clearly shown by the results reported in Bulletin No. 7, entitl^d " A 

 record of trials of various fertilizers upon the plain-field of the 

 Bussey Institution." This third report gives the results obtained 

 in 1873 and also reviews the three-year course of experiments. 



I doubt very much if the Bulletins of the Bussey Institution 

 have been read or consulted to the extent that they should have been 

 by agriculturists — they contain much that affects agricultural con- 

 ditions today. 



The financial condition of the Bussey Institution was affected 

 considerably by the Boston fire and the financial crisis in 1873. 

 From these inroads into the Bussey fund the Institution never re- 

 covered. Despite these setbacks, Professor Storer kept on with 

 his investigations and teaching, often receiving no salary for his 

 Services, or an amount so small that it was in no way commensurate 

 with his ability and the Services he rendered. To what extent Pro- 

 fessor Storer's financial condition suffered by his interest in agri- 

 culture I am unable to say, but a reply to a letter sent to Storer by 

 Professor Johnson^ from New Haven, Conn., December 15, 1879, 

 may give us some light on the subject. 



"NewHaven^ Ct., Dec. 15, 1879. 

 My dear Storer: I am most profoundly sorry at the State of Bussey 

 in general and ... in particular. As to the questions — I only know 

 what I got or rather I know nothing beyond that. I can't certainly 

 say whether it was $35 per column that I first worked for, for the 

 Tribüne, or not, but I think it was that. I Struck for $50 per column, 

 had it for 6 months, then declined to go on. ... I shall at once see 

 if I can't suggest to some good parties that they may get you to 

 write for their papers, etc. 



Yours most faithfully." 



2 See f ootnote, page 5. 



