♦ BUREAU OF SOILS. 293 



Mechanical analyses of soils for the Soil Survey have been continued, 

 and many analyses also have been made for other bureaus and depart- 

 ments of the Government. The standardization and repair of instru- 

 ments has provided necessary equipment that would have been diffi- 

 cult to obtain ^rom outside sources without much delay. 



This division has been cooi)eratin<i with the Division of Soil 

 Chemistry in the study of the ultra-clay and its physical effects on 

 soils. This work should be continued and considerably extended, as 

 the whole subject of the tenacity of soils, their baking and plasticity, 

 and the cultural methods for their amelioriation or modification, is in- 

 volved. 



FERTILIZER RESOURCES INVESTIGATIONS 



The work coverins; fertilizer resources, originally started under 

 the limited funds at the disposal of the bureau, has developed to a 

 remarkable extent. Many of the lines of investigation have been 

 carried so far as to make it advisable to ask for specific appropria- 

 tions in order that the methods developed may be carried to a point 

 where they can be safely taken up b}^ commercial organizations. 



Some of the more important lines of investigation prosecuted under 

 the general project will be discussed in connection with specific sub- 

 jects. There are a great many other lines of investigation associated 

 with new forms and sources of materials that can be continued and ex- 

 tended provided separate appropriations are made for the important 

 lines already developed. 



During the year the Division of Fertilizer Eesources continued 

 along the broad lines of fertilizer work followed in previous years, 

 Avith a view to determining our resources in fertilizer materials, and 

 to furnishing these to the farmer in the most economical, satisfac- 

 tory, and available form. 



tn addition to the collecting of statistical data and the furnishing 

 of technical information regarding fertilizers, their sources, supply, 

 and manufacture, and advising on many problems arising in Govern- 

 ment control, we have taken up a number of lines of special research 

 work. In some of these we have worked in cooperation with other 

 Government agencies and especially with the War Department upon 

 the problems of nitrogen fixation. 



On account of the increased fertilizer prices, due in part to the use 

 of organic ammoniates for feeding purposes, we have stressed the 

 work of the bureau on concentrated fertilizers, more espi^cially with 

 products which may be produced by the Government or by private 

 plants. The introduction and use of these products should in part, 

 at least, make up for the increasing cost of fertilizers, following upon 

 the increased cost of material, and of freight rates, handling charges, 

 labor, etc. 



FERTILIZER CONTROL. 



During the year the bureau exercised fertilizer control under the 

 President's proclamation, having taken over the duties formerly 

 assigned to the Office of Fertilizer Control. IMany fertilizer com- 

 panies have been put under license ; in other ways a close supervision 

 of trade conditions has been maintained, and steps have been taken 

 to develop, as far as possible, new fertilizer sources. 



