82 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



two each of pears and peaches. A few early varieties of grapes will 

 also be tested. In the way of vegetables, small plantings were made 

 of early and late cabbages, celery, beets, onions, turnips, sweet corn, 

 potatoes and radishes. 



During the year considerable time has been used in replying to letters 

 upon matters relating to all lines of horticultural work, and a number 

 of visits have been made to orchards in other sections of the State, 

 when the subject was deemed of sufficient importance and when suffi- 

 cient data to warrant a definite answer could not be secured by 

 correspondence. 



At the State Fair at Grand Rapids, in September, an exhibit of vege- 

 tables from the College and of fruits from South Haven was made. 



L. R. TAFT, 



IlorticuUurist. 

 Agricultural College, Mich., 

 June 23, 1900. 



REPORT OF THE CHEMIST OF THE EXPERIMENT STATION. 



-Prof. C. D. /Smith, Director of Experiment Station: 



I herewith submit the report of the Chemical Department of the Ex- 

 periment Station of the Agricultural College for the year closing June 

 30, 1900: 



The laboratory of the Chemical Department has been a scene of busy 

 activity for the entire year, the evidence of which appears in the test 

 of analyses and investigations herewith submitted. To carry forward 

 so many and so extended investigations in connection with lectures and 

 class-room work of the College has taxed the powers of chemist and 

 assistant alike. 



WORK DONE DURING THE YEAR. 



Cow Peas. — Analysis of three species of cow peas to determine the 

 crude protein, total nitrogen, per cent of ash, of phosphoric acid and 

 potash. This was done at the request of the Farm Department, to de- 

 termine their use as fodder plants and their value as accumulators of 

 fertilizing material. 



Feeding Stuffs. — Analysis of six kinds of commercial feeding stuffs, 

 to find their food value from their content of crude protein, fat and 

 carbohydrates. 



Samples from Association, of Official Agricultural Chemists. — Con- 

 sisting of wheat, of bran, and of clover seed, from Thorn Smith, 



Pea Bran. — For complete analysis. Submitted by the Agricultural 

 Department. 



Fertilizers in the Market. — Nine samples of commercial fertilizers 

 were analj^zed in the fall of 1899, submitted for analysis after the ferti- 

 lizer bulletin for the year had been printed. 



Fertilizers in 1900. — Eighty-five specimens of commercial fertilizers 



