igg STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



by Mr. Robinson from pot experiments, started two years ago in con- 

 junction witli Iiis laboratoi7 studies, have given valuable information 

 along, at least, two lines. Analyses of the drainage waters, have thrown 

 a considerable light upon the removal of the inorganic salts or mineral 

 plant food compounds from soils under different conditions. Some in- 

 formation which will prove of value in regard to the use of peat as a 

 re-enforcement of manure has also been obtained. The manuscript for 

 a bulletin embodying these results is now in preparation. 



Further studies have been carried on with the electrical conductivity 

 method of preparing neutral anmionium citrate solution and an ab- 

 breviated paper on the subject was recently jiublished in the Journal of 

 Industrial and Engineering Chemistr\\ A short paper on the subject 

 was also presented before the Association of Official Agricultural Chem- 

 ists and it is worthy of mention that a resolution was adopted at that 

 meeting calling for co-operative work upon the method looking toward 

 its adoption by the association, as a provisional method. A manuscript, 

 outlining the method in detail and giving some results obtained, is sub- 

 mitted herewith for publication in this report as Technical Bulletin 

 No. 12. 



The co-operative work with the Horticultural division upon the use 

 of cover crops and fertilizei's for grapes is demanding more and more 

 attention from the grape growers of the state and already several of 

 the growers in the vicinity of Lawton are adopting the practice as a 

 direct result of these experiments. 



The fertilizer control work is still on the increase. During the past 

 seven years there has been a gain of 122 per cent in the number of 

 brands of fertilizer licensed for sale, with a gain this year of 16 per cent 

 over the season of 1911. This large increase in the number of brands 

 necessarily means a big increase in the analytical work and with our 

 present laboratory force, available for this work, four months at least 

 are required to complete analyses. 



Many requests are made upon the division for information and advice 

 in regard to the use of commercial fertilizei's in general farm practice. 

 Since no carefully planned experiments along this line have been con- 

 ducted by the Station there is no available data upon which to give 

 information, consequently advice of a very general character only can 

 be given and the person seeking information is usually urged to experi- 

 ment for himself. In a few cases, upon request, plans of experiment 

 have been suggested. One such experiment is being conducted by the 

 Fremont Canning Company', to find out what combination of fertilizers 

 is best adapted to conditions in that section. The experiment was started 

 during the spring of 1912 but excessive rains when the crops were young 

 will prevent drawing anj' conclusions this year. 



Sixty samples of miscellaneous materials have been analyzed for resi- 

 dents of the state during the year. Among them were several samples 

 of linseed oil, 50 per cent of which were found to be adulterated. 



In conclusion I wish to record my hearty appreciation of the efficient 

 and careful work of my associates to whom credit for much that the 

 division has accomplished is due. 



Very respectfully, 



ANDREW J. PATTEN, 



Chemist. 



East Lansing, June 30, 1912. 



