THIRTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT 27 



Mr. Argiielles is now cooperating with Doctor Brown on a study 

 of soils and soil moisture in relation to tropical vegetation. 



Gas-producer operation. — A careful study of the chemical 

 composition of producer gas has been made to develop the most 

 economical generation. 



Salt industry. — The study of the salt industry resources of 

 the Philippine Islands has been continued, and means have been 

 suggested for improving and increasing the output. 



Brick making. — Clay and shales suitable for use in the man- 

 ufacture of clay products, such as building and paving bricks, 

 tiles, and common pottery, are abundant in the Philippine Islands. 

 The Bureau of Science has demonstrated the suitability of these 

 by manufacturing the products in the laboratory. 



Leather industry. — Our chemists have shown that by simple, 

 inexpensive modifications of their methods the local tanners 

 can vastly improve their product in weight, finish, and durability, 

 and particularly as to odor. This work has been carried on in 

 Meycauayan. Already Filipino tanners have been very much 

 interested, and the work should lead to important and practical 

 results. 



Many smaller problems have been touched upon, more or less 

 superficially. 



DIVISION OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 



Personnel. — Dr. Harvey C. Brill and Mr. William B. O'Brien, 

 new appointees, arrived from the United States and began ser- 

 vice on July 24, 1913. Dr. Harry D. Gibbs, chief of the division 

 and assistant to the Director, resigned on June 15, 1914, to accept 

 a position with the United States Department of Agriculture, 

 Washington, D. C, and Mr. O'Brien was transferred to the Uni- 

 versity of the Philippines on August 9, 1914. Dr. David S. Pratt, 

 a member of the division, who was in charge of the division while 

 Doctor Gibbs was on leave in the United States, from which he 

 returned on September 9, 1913, was promoted on September 16, 

 1914, to the position of chief of the division to take effect upon 

 his return to duty. Mr. Robert R. Williams was transferred to 

 the division of general, inorganic, and physical chemistry as 

 chief on September 16, 1914. No new appointments have been 

 made, and the division is left in a depleted condition. 



ROUTINE WORK 



The routine work of this division consists of the inspection, 

 analysis, and examination of foods, drinks, drugs, and other 



