through Germany, and into other countries, till, in 1868, there were no less than twenty-eight stations in full and successful operation; and now the number is increased to sixty-two, sustained largely by governments, but with the co-operation of individuals and agricultural societies. They have proved themselves of immense service, and are rapidly increasing in number and efficiency; while, at the same time, the agricultural colleges and schools are more numerous, and better sustained, than they are in this country.

But an experiment station costs money. The trustees of the Agricultural College have not the means to organize it without the aid of the Legislature. The French Government, always studious of the interests of the people and its own financial strength, sent a thoroughly competent man, M. Grandeau, to visit and study the experiment stations of Germany; and he reported to the French minister of agriculture, that a useful station could be started for six thousand dollars, and that it would cost three thousand dollars a year to maintain it. The expenses of the Prussian stations vary from eight hundred to four thousand dollars a year, according to the completeness with which they are organized and equipped, and the number of scientific men employed. They would cost more in this country; but the cost will depend very much upon the amount and kind of work required of them.

The work of an experiment station requires not only land sufficient for field-operations, but especially chemical and physiological laboratories. All these appliances are at hand at the Massachusetts Agricultural College; and it would involve little additional outlay on the part of the State to organize a station on the most thorough basis. The quantity of land required for experimental purposes is not large. A portion of the college farm could be set apart for these objects, without material detriment to the interests of the institution, while the laboratories would furnish immediate facilities for scientific investigation.

Every farmer recognizes the fact, that most field experiments, to be of any great general and permanent value, require to be carried on through a series of years, and that they require great expense. But that they pay, and pay abundantly, for the outlay, is now universally recognized by farmers throughout Germany, who contribute largely and cheer

fully for their support, in the form of small fees for analyses. It may be stated, also, that the work of the German stations. has become thoroughly systematized by the division of labor, each one taking some special line of investigation, and leaving other specialties to other stations. The station mentioned. as having been first founded at Moeckern, for instance, now confines itself chiefly to studies and experiments in the nutrition of animals; and some of the stables on the farm are set apart for the cattle required. Other stations are confined specially to experiments in fertilizers, and the nutrition of plants, to animal and vegetable chemistry, and physiology. Agricultural research, the discovery of new truth, and the test of older theories, is the work of them all, to be sure; but the field is so vast, that experience has dictated the economy of division of labor. And so it may be argued, that we need numerous stations in various parts of the Commonwealth; and it is true. But we shall never have a system of such invaluable institutions, unless we make a beginning in the establishment of one; and true economy would dictate its location. in connection with the Agricultural College, where the requisite scientific appliances are already at hand.

In the mean time, the societies can do more than they do now in this direction, and it is not unreasonable in the public to expect and demand it of them. We cannot shut our eyes to the fact that we are to look more and more to the accurate investigations of science as the source from which any steps of real progress are to come. We shall not always grope along blindly in the dark; and science alone can throw light upon the variety of questions that constantly meet us in our daily practice. This fact is certainly to be recognized in the future to a much greater extent than it has ever been in the past.

It is to be hoped, also, that the suggestion to hold one or more Farmers' Institutes within the limits of each society will commend itself to the favorable consideration of the officers of all the societies in the State. Associated efforts, in the way of public meetings for lectures and discussions, stimulate individual enterprise, diffuse valuable information, and excite emulation in the direction of improvement. Very much of the progress already made is due to associated effort; and there never was a time in the history of progress,

when people were so ready to receive and consider the facts which lie at the foundation of success, or so ready to appreciate the results of scientific investigation.

If the officers of every society would enter heartily and earnestly upon the work of improvement, with a feeling that they have a mission to perform, and that a personal responsibility rests upon them to extend the beneficent influence of their organization all over their territory, the time would soon come when they would see the results of their labors, not only in a growing enthusiasm for agricultural pursuits, but in increased production, enterprise, and prosperity.

CHARLES L. FLINT,

Secretary of the State Board of Agriculture.

BOSTON, January, 1878.