1914.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 31. 19 a 



such a nature as to probably greatly influence its chemical con- 

 dition. 



In this connection attention is called to the fact that the 

 most satisfactory means of determining the fertilizer require- 

 ments of crops is by carrying out a simple but carefully planned 

 experiment in the field; and in all cases the station is glad to 

 advise in relation to such experiments. It will furnish plans 

 on application, provided the general conditions and the crops 

 to be grown are indicated. 



Water Analyses. — Properly taken samples of drinking water 

 will be given a sanitary analysis, for which a uniform charge 

 of $3 is made. This charge hardly equals cost. It is much 

 below the usual figure for such work, which probably averages 

 at least $10, A small charge was found to be necessary in order 

 to prevent the indiscriminate forwarding of samples in such 

 number as to constitute a serious burden, and in many cases 

 when conditions hardly suggested any necessity for such 

 analysis. 



Analyses of Milk and Cream. — For the present, as has been 

 our i3ractice for some years, the station will analyze properly 

 taken and preserved samples of milk and cream for fat and 

 total solids, free of cost. This is done because facilities for 

 such work are seldom within the reach of farmers, in order that 

 it may be more fully recognized that the value of the product 

 is not determined solely by the number of quarts or pounds of 

 milk produced. 



Foods and Drug Analyses. — This experiment station does 

 not, under any conditions, undertake analyses of foods or drugs. 

 It is not charged with the execution of the pure food law. That 

 work in this State is looked after by the State Board of Health. 



Personal Inspection of Farms or Lands. — Quite frequently 

 a letter is received asking the station to send some one for the 

 purpose of looking over a farm and advising in relation to its 

 value or management, or for the examination of a certain tract 

 of land, perhaps with reference to the possibility of its improve- 

 ment, or for the purpose of determining what crops it is suited 

 to. The station organization does not at present include men 

 whose time is free for work of this description. Such work, 



