4 EXPEEIMENT STATION EECOBD. 



Fertilizer inspection and fertilizer control naturally figured con- 

 spicuously in the early agricultural work. The use of fertilizers was 

 rapidly coming into practice in the early fifties. They were not al- 

 ways intelligently made, for not very much was known of values, and 

 the claims put forth for them were often exorbitant as well as their 

 cost. Here many farmers felt a real need for assistance. 



Dr. Johnson began discussing these matters in the agTicultural 

 press in 1853, while yet a student at Yale. He iterated and reiterated 

 the necessity of chemical analysis as the only basis for judging of the 

 composition of a fertilizer, the reliability of accurate analyses as a 

 guide to values, and the importance to the community of a regular 

 system of analysis of all commercial fertilizers as a safeguard against 

 fraud as well as against the self-deception of ignorance. In 1856 

 he introduced the method of calculating the " valuation " per ton on 

 the basis of the commercial values of the constituents, in the principle 

 of which he was a strong believer. 



His systematic inspection of fertilizers dated from his appointment 

 as chemist to the State Board of Agriculture in 1856. In his first 

 report he said : " It is vastly pleasanter to suppose that frauds are 

 mistakes rather than willful attempts to cheat ; but it is of the utmost 

 importance to know whether we are liable to be intentionally as well 

 as accidentally imposed upon." The condition of the trade at that 

 time is illustrated by the statement in this first report that " of all 

 the superphosphates I analyzed last year not one came up to a reason- 

 able standard of quality," and " of all the other high-priced manufac- 

 tured manures which have been twice analyzed not one has main- 

 tained a uniform composition." 



It is difficult at the present time to realize the novelty of the under- 

 taking. The rights of business men to make and sell what they chose 

 in any line was undisputed, and the public was without protection 

 except at individual expense. The principles he announced were new 

 to business generally, and as applied to fertilizers they were largely 

 new to many of the manufacturers as they were to the public. They 

 subjected him to criticism and misrepresentation on the one hand, and 

 brought him encouragement and support on the other. In 1869 

 Dr. George H. Cook, of New Jersey, wrote him : " The circulation of 

 such reports as that of yours on fertilizers will be of great use, and I 

 hope you will be allowed to continue making full and fearless reports 

 on the worthless manures which are so common in the market." 

 Many others, including practical farmers, expressed their apprecia- 

 tion and hope that he would not be stifled in his efforts. Fortunately 

 he was able to maintain his position. His work brought inquiries 

 from all parts of the country. 



Very naturally from the interest surrounding this subject, the agi- 

 tation for experiment stations, and especially the first station in Con- 



