CONVENTION OF ASSOCIATION OF OFFICIAL AGRICULTURAL 



CHEMISTS, l ( )05. 



II. W. Lawson, 

 Office of Experiment Stations. 



The twenty-second annual convention of the Association of Official 

 Agricultural Chemists was held at the George Washington University, 

 Washington, D. Ci, November L6-18, L905, C. L. Penny, of Delaware, 

 presiding. The attendance was unusually large, as was also the num- 

 ber of papers and reports presented. 



In his opening address. President Penny stated thai while in the 

 main the association's work had shown gratifying improvement in the 

 uniformity of analytical results for phosphoric acid and potash, the 

 results with nitrogen were less satisfactory. Much of the variation 

 with the Kjeldahl method was believed to be due to the manner of 

 digestion, which subject was discussed in some detail. The speaker 

 urged that the technological questions of analysis should not be left as 

 finished work. He emphasized the importance of permanent refer- 

 ence samples, and suggested as one of the most urgent questions for 

 consideration the correct valuation of basic slag. The institution by 

 the association of vegetation tests for studying the availability of 

 plant food was characterized as an important forward step. 



During the course of the meetings, 1 Lonorable dames Wilson, Secre- 

 tary of Agriculture, and Prof. William M. I lavs. Assistant Secretary 

 of Agriculture, made brief addresses expressing interest in the work 

 of the association, and commenting especially upon the progress made 

 in the suppression of food adulteration. 



A resolution offered by R. J. Davidson, that at future meetings all 

 reports and papers be presented by title or abstract, precipitated con- 

 siderable discussion, which broughtout the feelingthat some regulations 

 concerning the presentation of reports and papers and the participation 

 in discussions were desired. The matter was referred to the executive 

 committee. 



The following officers were elected for the coming year: President, 

 C. G. Hopkins, LTrbana, III.; Vice-President, J. P. Street, New Bruns- 

 wick, N. J.; Secretary, II. W. Wiley, Washington, D. C; Additional 

 members of executwt committee, 11. Snyder, St. Anthony Park, Minn.: 



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