706 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



the speakers, and veiy little faith was expressed in the ability' of the 

 farmer to conduct experiments of any value, even to himself. Dr. 

 Pf eiffer's proposition was finally rejected by the association, but a com- 

 mission was appointed to consider the general subject of cooperative 

 field experiments. 



A system of premium experiments was, however, organized in Saxe- 

 Weimar by Dr. Pfeiffer and carried out during the year 1900, the 

 results of which are just published. The plan for the experiments 

 was drawn up b}'^ a commission, and an agreement was entered into 

 with the experimenters. The experiments were quite simple in plan 

 and were under the supervision of the Jena Station. Nitrate of soda, 

 Thomas slag meal, and potash salts were used in varying amounts. 

 The premiums consisted of 2 first prizes of 300 marks each (about $75), 

 5 second prizes of 200 marks (about $50), and 8 third prizes of 100 

 marks (about $25). Each person awarded a prize was also to receive 

 a handsome diploma. The funds for the prizes were secured from the 

 representatives of the nitrate of soda interests in Berlin, the Union of 

 German and Austrian Thomas Phosphate Manufacturers, and the Kali 

 Syndicate. Dr. Pfeiffer refers to the probable objection to the source 

 of the prizes, but explains that means could not be provided from the 

 State, agricultural organizations, or other source to set the scheme on 

 foot. The conduct of the experiments, the results, and the awarding 

 of the prizes were all in the hands of a commission, upon which the 

 donors of the prizes had no representative. 



The original plan contemplated experiments with oats and fodder 

 beets, but the proposition met with such favor that 112 farmers signi- 

 fied their intention of joining in the competition, which was be3'ond 

 the capacity of the station to properly supervise. It was decided, 

 therefore, to limit the experiments in 1900 to those who had selected 

 fodder beets and to postpone those with oats until the following year, 

 the prizes for which were secured from the same sources. This show- 

 ing of interest among the farmers was especially' gratifying to Dr. 

 Pfeiffer, in view of previous attempts to secure the cooperation of 

 farmers with the Jena Station. 



The experiments in 1900 were carried out by 39 farmers, all of whom 

 made returns of their observations during the year and the vdelds. As 

 it was found impracticable, on account of possible delays from bad 

 weather, etc., for a representative of the commission to be present at 

 the harvest of the crop in each case, the agricultural societies in the 

 localities where experiments were conducted were asked to appoint 

 trustworthy persons who should represent and make returns to the 

 commission. This plan proved entirely satisfactory, drew the societies 

 into the scheme, and intensified the local interest in it. 



The season was unfortunately dry and did not bring out the full 

 effects of the different kinds and amounts of fertilizers. The experi- 



