141 



tion of Lodi dcrdtes itself to researches upon the mniiufiictnre of eliccse ; 

 niMl tliose of Parvi to the study of cryptogamio botany. 



The author bejjs leave, in order to convey a more perfect idea cf this 

 great labor enterprise, to make some extracts from the programmes of 

 researches prosecuted at the different stations. The following are some 

 of the questions to the solution of which the stations of Kuschen and 

 Proskow^ w^ill devote themselves during the current year : 



.1st. Essays upon culture in aqueous solutions relative to the assimi- 

 lation of ammonia, urea, and hippuric acids. 



2d. Esijeriments upon tlie amount of water evaporated by different 

 plants. 



3d. Researches upon the influence exerted by the volume of earth 

 upon the development of different plants. 



4th. Trials on the culture of plants and of new varieties. 



nth. Trials of different manures, having for their sole object the de- 

 termination of the different combinations of nitrogen. 



Gth. Estimation of the richness of stubbles and roots in mineral mat- 

 ter and nitrogen. 



7th. Researches upon tlie mixed seeds of the red clover, of Lucerne, 

 or Burgundian ha;^, of esparcett^, and \he grasses. 



8th. Researches upon the digestibility cf stubbles, the nutritive ele- 

 ments contained in young clover, old clover, and in Lucerne hay. 



9tb. Researches and experiments upon the different modes of the 

 preparation of ha^'. 



lUth. Comparative researches upon the utilization of the nutritive 

 elements of Lucerne as it is usually prepared, and of brown. 



11th. Researches upon tlie feeding of dry clover witli the addition of 

 dijtterent nutritive substances. 



The stations publish every year the programmes of their researches 

 and experiments, and very materiaiiy enrich science with many valua- 

 ble discoveries. But their popularity is chiefly due to the analyses of 

 fertilizers and the controlling influence they exercise over their trade. 

 The prices of analyses are fixed, by the founders of these institutions, 

 sufficiently low to encourage customers, and yet cover the expense and 

 leave the station a small allowance. This prevents the sale of worthless 

 material by dishonest manufacturers, and protects the honest dealers as 

 well as the farmers who use the f>rocluctions. 



In France this abuse by manufacturers of fertilizers became so great, 

 arid so burdensome to agricultural industry, that they endeavored to 

 prevent it, and founded laboratories charged with the examination of 

 commercial fertilizers. Among these laboratories that of I'lantes, con- 

 ducted by M. Bobierre, has reiulered the greatest service to agriculture. 

 But unfoVtunately they are not sufficiently namcrous to be everywhere 

 efficacious in aiding the husbandman. The agricultural societies there- 

 fore decided that analytical laboratories should be established in every 

 district. They further demand that information shall be given to the 

 minister of agriculture concerning the exact state of the soil wuiieh they 

 cultivate, and the nature of the fertilizer used upon it. 



The method of inspecting comm.ercial fertilizers practiced throughout 

 Germany is conducted in the following manner: After the manufac- 

 turer has prepared a certain quantity of the fertilizer, the chemist goes 

 to hini unexpectedly, has him weigh in his presence the sacks destined 

 for sale. He then takes a quantity which he deems necessary, makes 

 an analysis of it, and publishes its composition. 



But there are stations devoted to the investigation of a matter equally 

 important with tliat of fertilizers. It is the examination of the differ- 



