1914.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 31. 17 a 



laboratory for commercial work as there are numerous and 

 reliable private commercial chemists. Further, there will be 

 general agreement that for a State institution to engage in 

 commercial work would be an unwise intrusion in a field where 

 the rights of private enterprise would be infringed. The sta- 

 tion, as a rule, does not (drinking waters excepted) accept com- 

 pensation for any chemical analyses which it may undertake. 



Analyses of Fertilizers or Feeds for Manufacturers or 

 Dealers. — Under no circumstances can the station undertake 

 chemical analysis as one of the necessary steps for manufacture 

 or as a basis for guarantees. It should not and will not assume 

 this responsibility. 



Analyses of Fertilizers and Feeds for Consumers. — !N'ot in- 

 frequently buyers send in samples, with the request that we 

 determine the composition. It is contrary to sound policy, as 

 a rule, to make such analyses, for two reasons : — 



1. The materials in almost all cases are sampled in the 

 course of the regular inspection and analyzed. A repetition is 

 uncalled for. 



2. It is not certain that these samples are properly taken, 

 for to secure a thoroughly representative sample requires special 

 instruction and experience. No suit nor claim for shortage can 

 be based upon an analysis of a sample not officially taken. 



In all cases, however, where either fertilizers or feeds are pur- 

 chased on guarantee, with a definite understanding that the 

 price shall be determined on the basis of analysis, the station 

 is prepared to sample the goods where the transaction is of 

 sufficient magnitude to warrant the expense, and will make the 

 required analysis. Further, in the case of feeds it is sometimes 

 possible, by mechanical separation and examination under low 

 magnifying power (processes which can quite easily be carried 

 out), to determine the ingredients, and such work the station 

 will do on request. 



Analyses of Soils. — The number of letters received asking 

 for instruction in relation to sending samples of soil to be 

 analyzed for the purpose of determining what fertilizers should 

 be used, and the number of samples of soils sent in for such 

 analysis for that purpose without previous inquiry, is con- 



