EXPERIMENT STATIONS. 95 



Station, and having clear and explicit answers returned to 

 us, we are enabled to profit thereby. And therefore, as I 

 say, those of us who receive these Monthly Bulletins cannot 

 fail to answer this question in the atfirmative. This applies 

 to Massachusetts. How is it with the different States of the 

 country? There are some Experiment Stations located in 

 different States, and we are enabled to compare their work 

 with ours. They are investigating questions applicable to 

 their localities. Now, would it not be of great value to us 

 here in Massachusetts, as well as all over the country, if 

 Experiment Stations could be established throughout the 

 country, which should conduct experiments not only with 

 special reference to the locations where they are placed, but 

 which should consider questions belonging to the whole 

 country, comparing the results of investigations one with 

 another, and receiving reports fi"om the Commissioner of 

 Agriculture at Washington, showing the results of certain 

 experiments that are applicable to all parts of the country ? 

 It seems to me that there can be no question that the cause 

 of agriculture would be promoted by an appropriation from 

 Congi'ess, establishing Experiment Stations in ditferent parts 

 of the country. Some action has already been taken in that 

 direction. We have, as I understand, already pending 

 before Congress a bill for this purpose, appropriating $15,- 

 000 to each State where Agricultural Colleges have been 

 established, for Experiment Stations to be established in 

 connection with these colleges, for the purpose of conduct- 

 ing such experiments as have been indicated. Can there be 

 any question that if that is done it will be of great advan- 

 tage in promoting the agriculture of the whole country? 

 While it will cost something to the Government, it seems to 

 me that we shall receive returns tenfold ; and we ought, I 

 think, to advocate the passage of such a law. I have given 

 a good deal of thought to this subject ; I have made a special 

 study of the work of our Experiment Station in Massachu- 

 setts ; I think I have learned the value of it: I have there- 

 fore prepared certain resolutions which I would like to offei 

 at this time, to bring about such legislation as I have indi- 

 cated, or in aid of it. 



