EXPERIMENT STATION REPORTS. 269 



More work has been done on the investigation of the "Alkahne Perman- 

 ganate'' Method for the determination of availabihty of nitrogen in 

 mixed fertihzers. The later results confirm the earlier conclusions and 

 prove that the action of the permanganate solution is not confined to 

 "any one group or groups of nitrogen compounds. It does prove, how- 

 ever, that the solution acts on the less complex nitrogen compounds, 

 such as the primary amines and probably the acid amides liberating the 

 nitrogen most completely. The more complex compounds arc acted 

 upon very slowly and the action is progressive. Our results indicate \h;vi 

 the method may safely be used to differentiate between the good and 

 j)<)()r nitrogen compounds. This work will be prepared for publication as 

 soon as possible. 



Project 2e: "Absorption in relation to osmosis in soils." Nothing has 

 been done during the past year. It is hoped that the investigation can soon 

 be started again. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 



One hundred ninety two samples of a miscellaneous nature were ex- 

 amined during the year and in addition a great man}^ samples of marl, of 

 which no definite record was made, have been examined in order to de- 

 termine their agricultural value. 



The writer attended the meeting of the Association of Feed Control 

 Officials in Pittsburg, January 13-14, 1919, and in February was called to 

 Washington as chairman of the legislative committee of the Association of 

 Feed Control Officials to attend a hearing in the Department of Agriculture 

 on a proposed Federal Feeding Stuffs Bill. 



The usual course of lectures on fertilizers was given by the writer to 

 the short course students in general agriculture. 



In closing permit me to thank you for the advice and counsel that you 

 have always been free to give and to commend the faithful and loyal 

 spirit of cooperation exhibited by all members of this section. 



Verj^ truly yours, 

 ANDREW J. PATTEN, 



Chemist. 

 East Lansing, June 30, 1919. 



