DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL CHEMISTRY 



The work of the Department of Chemistry in its Relations with Agri- 

 culture, during the past year, has been chiefly along the routine line of 

 instruction to students registered for the several courses. In addition, 

 this Department has cooperated with other departments of the College 

 in making chemical analyses of materials submitted by them. 



One line of research has been completed at least sufficiently to make a 

 published report. This is now forthcoming. It deals with certain 

 chemical changes in hens" eggs as influenced by the composition of the 

 rations fed to the hens. 



The investigation of the moisture and sulfur content of evaporated 

 fruit is still in progress. 



The only extension work that could be done consisted in the examina- 

 tion of various agricultural materials that were sent in by residents of the 

 State. Among the examinations made, as shown in the list below, is the 

 striking item of sixteen poison cases. The material sent consisted of parts 

 of the internal organs of cattle, horses, swine, and poultry. Losses due to 

 poisoning seem to be increasing. It is difficult to determine whether the 

 poisoning is accidental, owing to a more general use of poisonous sprays, 

 or whether it is intentional. The demand for examinations of soils for 

 acidity, looking toward liming, is also increasing. 



A classified list is submitted below, showing samples examined in the 

 laboratory and reported on either to other departments of the College or to 

 individuals in the State: 



Acetylene refuse i Lead arsenate 3 



Acid phosphate 3 Leather scrap i 



Apples (evaporated) i Lime 7 



Ashes 5 Limestone 5 



Beans i Manures 5 



Beets (mangels) 5 Maple sirup i 



Bone ( l)urned) i Marl 12 



Charcoal 5 Meat scrap 4 



Chemicals 3 Milk i 



Condition powders i Milk refuse i 



Copper cable i Muck 13 



Eggs 14 Mtistard meal 2 



Feeds 14 Oats 28 



Fertilizers 1 1 Ore i 



Grits 2 Paints i 



[cxxxvii] 



