620 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



association into a single organization, to be known as the Botanical Society of 

 America. If this plan materializes, there will be provision for holding special session.' 

 or section meetings devoted to the different branches of the subject as occasion may 

 arise, although the plan dues nut contemplate the formation of permanent sections. 



The following committee was appointed by the botanical section to confer with a 

 like committee from the Association of < Official AgriculturaK !hemists| I-'. S. R., L6, p. 324) 

 on the definition of the term "plant food": C. R. Barnes, University of Chicago; 

 F. C. Newcomb, University of Michigan; I). T.MacDougal, New York Botanic Garden; 

 H. M.Richards, Barnard College; and B. E. Livingston, University of Chicago. 



In the section for social and economic science, B. E. Fernow discussed the Move- 

 ment of Wood Prices and their Influence on Forestry Treatment; and W. R. Lazenby 

 reviewed The Present Demand for and the Economic Uses of Wood. 



American Chemical Society and Section ('. — In a paper on Some Present Problems 

 in Industrial Chemistry, Edward Hart referred to the reputed finding of nitrate of 

 soda in Death Valley, and stated that thus far no material progress had been made 

 in making nitrates in this country, the electric method not having proved sufficiently 

 cheap as yet. The making of our own nitrates would add $11,000,000 to our National 

 wealth. The discovery of some source of potash to compete with the Stassfurt salts 

 was mentioned as affording a great opportunity, and the possibility of making potash 

 from feldspar commercially was suggested. In noting some of the things to be 

 undertaken in the future, Dr. Hart pointed out that we must raise more of our sugar 

 at home, and must induce farmers to fertilize their land more liberally, to replace 

 what is removed by the crops in order that the fertility of the land may be 

 maintained. 



W. F. Hillebrand presented Some Thoughts upon the Present Condition of Ana- 

 lytical Chemistry, which proved exceedingly interesting and suggestive. He pointed 

 out discrepancies in present methods of analysis in a number of lines, and urged 

 that there should be a determined will and sentiment to improve the analytical 

 methods and practice followed— at least to inquire into the character of the chem- 

 icals and the water used in such work. Part of the carelessness in this respect was 

 ascribed to the student's early training, and the point was made that lie should be 

 taught to look for the errors in his work and to determine the quality of his reagents. 



The speaker deprecated the so-called r 'cookl k methods" of analysis, which were 



followed blindly and in a mechanical sort of way. He hoped for some help from 

 the Bureau of Standards in testing methods and furnishing means for checking the 

 work of chemists. 



H. W. Wiley discussed Diet in Tuberculosis, and W. D. Bigelow gave a prelim- 

 inary note on The Ripening of Peaches, describing an investigation upon this topic 

 carried on under his direction, but reserving the results for future publication. 



Discussing The Interpretation of a Water Examination, W. P. Mason emphasized 

 the value of a sanitary survey, which he placed first in importance in the examina- 

 tion of water supply, if only one form can be made. The chemical examination has 

 often called attention to a dangerous condition of the water, although the bacterio- 

 logical side is now recognized as of great importance. All three of these forms of ex- 

 amination—the sanitary survey, the chemical, and the bacteriological examination- 

 should, if possible, be used together. Referring to the use of copper sulphate for the 

 purification of water, he questioned whether or not copper, like lead and other heavy 

 metals, is a cumulative poison. Its use for killing germs in water was thought to be 

 more objectionable than its use against alga?, since for the former purpose it must be 

 used continuously. 



L. P. Kinnicutt discussed The Determination of Oxygen Consumed in Water 

 Analysis, reporting the results obtained on about a dozen samples by eight methods. 

 The results disagreed very widely according to the time and temperature of the 

 treatment. He preferred Palmer's method, as the conditions can be kept more con- 



