Report of the Chemist for Agriculture. 



839 



The discussion of these tables, as well as others obtained from the 

 analysis of the same crops at different stages of maturity than those 

 here given, will be more appropriately undertaken in the report 

 dealing specially with the forage experiments. The analysis was 

 made on the air-dried sample. The figures given as original moisture, 

 represent the averages of a large number of plants. 



Different Varieties of Mangolds. 



There were five difl:ereut varieties of mangolds in each forage 

 field established. They were grown side by side and under the same 

 conditions as the beet. The yields obtained from each variety, and 

 the results of the full anaylsTs, will be given in the report on the 

 forage experiments at present in course of preparation. In addition 

 to the full analysis, however, a number of separate sugar deter- 

 minations was made of the dressed roots from each variety with the 

 following results : — 



There were individual roots in which the sugar percentage of the 

 Long Yellow and Yellow Tankard reached as much as 10 per cent, 

 calculated on the weight of the dressed samples. 



Insecticides and Fungicides. 



A very exhaustive analysis was made in the preceding year of the 

 insecticides and fungicides in use in the orchard and on the farm. 

 There was then no indication that the materials in use were of a low 

 standard of quality. Last year, a few samj^les of the latter only 

 reached the laboratory. The seven bluestones sent in were of a good 

 quality. The impurity as sulphate of iron contained in the different 

 samples was as follows : — 



Sulphate of Iron . . -81 -57 81 -38 -35 •-52 -64 



Two samples of formalin, however, sent in by an agricultural society, 

 were of such a low standard as to be practically worthless for the 

 prevention of smut. As the use of formalin is now largely replacing 

 that of sulphate of copper as a pickle for cereals for the prevention of 

 smut, it is very important that farmers should be certain, before 

 using, of the quality of the material sold under this name. A good 

 commercial sample ought to analyse from 30 to 40 per cent, of 

 formaldehyde. The samples sent in contained a little over 2 per 

 cent. only. Farmers are advised to send in samples freely to this 

 laboratorv for advice. 



