496 



and the mass of woods they contain ; the aggregate of live-stock, and 

 the profit derived therefrom; the approximate number of great agri- 

 cultural exploitations; the aggregate of rural population, &c., with a 

 tabular summation of the whole. 



This movement should result in publications showing clear and pre- 

 cise statements capable of comparison upon — 



1. The market prices of agricultural and forest products as well as the 

 exchange to which they give rise. These statements should be as prompt 

 as possible, and as often as once a week in times of special interest. 



2. The annual yield of crops in percentages of an average yield, for 

 the earlier crops in September, and for the later ones before the end of 

 November. These should be given in absolute figures by unity of sur- 

 face and in totality as soon as possible after the period of production. 



3. The prices of transportation by quantity and distance, by rail or 

 other roads or by water : the wages of laborers ; interest on money ; 

 voluntary or involuntary mutations of property; the purchase-price and 

 insurance of goods, &c. These statements should be made as far as 

 possible from oflicial data or other reliable information, and should be 

 made annually. 



III. Question A. "What points of agricultural experiment demand 

 the organization of an international system of observations? 



Among the many points of this character the following are specially 

 recommended for international observation : 



a. Examination of the amount of ammonia and nitrous acid precipi- 

 tated in rain, with indications, as precise as possible, of the place and 

 time of such researches. This involves the question of nitrogen. 



b. Determination of the power of absorption of the soil by chemical 

 and mechanical analyses, as well as the influence of fertilizers upon ab- 

 sorption. 



c. Researches upon the scientific basis that should be given to agri- 

 cultural hydrotechny, embracing gardens for hydrotechnic studies. 



cl. Analyses of the principal grains and seeds of different countries 

 selected from difl'erent localities, showing their nutritive and commer- 

 cial value. 



e. Definition of the influence of nourishment and breed upon the 

 quantity and quality of milk, and the capacity of animals for fatten- 

 ing. 

 /. Management of the feed, seed, cocoons, and eggs of silk-worms. 



g. Essays upon the variation of plants from the same seed through 

 the medium of difterent methods and conditions of culture — that is, of 

 acclimation. 



To accomplish the above-indicated labors the governments are re- 

 quested to complete the number of experimental stations and to furnish 

 them with necessary means. The chiefs of experimental stations should 

 assemble periodically with governmental delegates to deliberate upon 

 the works to be accomplished, the most eligible methods of procedure, 

 and the publication of results. 



III. Question B. What points of forest experiment demand the organ- 

 ization of an international system of observations ? 



The congress decides — 



1. Governments should by all means in their power introduce and or- 

 ganize forest experimentation. 



2. Chiefs of experimental stations should be specialists in this busi- 

 ness, and, as far as possible, devote all their time and energy to their 

 work, satisfactory results being obtainable only by the accumulation 



