THE WORK OF THE CHEMICAL DIVISION. 



The relationship which exists between agriculture and chemistry 

 is a very close and intimate one. Whether he understands it or not, 

 the farmer who carries on his operations in the field, the feed lot, 

 or the dairy according to correct methods is putting into practical 

 operation the principles of agricultural chemistry. The require- 

 ments of crops and animals, the character and deficiences of soils, 

 the means by which soil fertility may be most economically built 

 up and maintained, the nature and amounts of fertilizing ingredients 

 in manures, the nutritive value of forage crops and feeding stuffs, 

 the composition of dairy products, the constitution and preparation 

 of fungicides and insecticides and many other equally important 

 questions can be answered satisfactorily only through the aid of 

 chemistry. 



Dr. Saunders being a chemist by profession very thoroughly 

 understood these facts, so that it was but natural that he should 

 at the organization of the Experimental Farms establish a Chemical 

 Division. At its head was appointed Mr. Frank T. Shutt, who still 

 directs with efficiency this Division of the Farms' work. 



Ever since 1889, a well equipped chemical laboratory has been 

 in operation at the Central Farm wherein the analytical work of 

 all the Farms has been done. In this institution a very large amount 

 of analytical and research work has been accomplished for farming 

 and farming communities in all parts of Canada. Through this work 

 the Chemist has been kept in close touch with the problems that con- 

 front the man on the land, and has thus been enabled to render 

 immediate and direct assistance when scientific aid was required. 



A very helpful service has been performed through the medium 

 of correspondence. Inquiries to this Division relate to soils and their 

 treatment; to manures and fertilizers, their composition and use; 

 to the nature of feeding stuffs; to the compositoin of dairy products; 

 to the purity of well waters and to many other materials and subjects 

 related to agriculture. 



From year end to year end chemical work is going on in the ex- 

 aminations of samples of materials sent in from all parts of the 

 Dominion for analysis. These include soils, naturally accruing 

 fertilizers, such as mucks, marl, etc., forage plants and feeding 

 stuffs, well waters and others things. 



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