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secured and examined chemically as to its fertilizer value and microbiologically 

 as to its value in supplying beneficial soil organisms. It was also applied to various 

 growing plants according to directions furnished in the literature put out by the 

 company. Results of the investigations made are summarized as follows : 



Chemical examination. The contents of the can supposed to contain the bacteria 

 showed 99.72 per cent of water, .0014 per cent phosphoric acid, .014 per cent 

 potash, and .029 per cent nitrogen, the plant food value in one ton of the solution 

 being about 12.3 cents; per thi-ee-quart can, one-third of one mill. The contents 

 of the other can, supposed to be food for the bacteria, was found to be a compost 

 of about equal weights of horse manure and moist soil. It analyzed as follows: 

 water 36.55 per cent, earthy matter 43.27 per cent, organic matter 20.18 per cent. 

 In plant food ingredients it analyzed: phosphoric acid .23 per cent, potash .25 

 per cent, and nitrogen .48 per cent, the plant food value per ton being $2.95; per 

 three-quart can, 8.8 mills. The two cans retailed for five dollars. 



A microbiological analysis of the bacteria food showed that the great majority of 

 the organisms present were common ammonifying (putrefactive and decay) forms, 

 the flora resembling what one should expect to obtain from an average nianure 

 compost. The can containing the solution with bacteria showed a predominance 

 of nitrogen fixing, nitrifying and ammonifying forms. 



Briefly it may be said that with the exception of the legume bacteria there is no 

 indication of a scarcity of useful bacteria in an otherwise good soil and, as Dr. 

 Charles E. Marshall, the Station Bacteriologist, has tersely expressed it, "at the 

 present time no method has been found to increase the numbers of these useful 

 bacteria (legume bacteria excepted) already in the soil or increase their activity for 

 the production of plant food, other than the usual manuring, fertilizmg and tillage 

 of the soil." 



When tested on newly seeded lawn, and on a number of the following plants — 

 cabbage, peppers, tobacco, petunias and snapdragons — located in various parts 

 of the state, negative results were secured in all cases. 



Results of our analyses were given to the press and sent to the various county 

 agricultural agents in the state. 



On June 29 an opinion was rendered by the Attorney General of the state that a 

 product such as the Soilgro unit would be classed as a "commercial fertilizer" 

 within the meaning of General Laws relating to the inspection of fertilizers. The 

 company was informed of the ruling and notified that registration would be refused 

 and that further sales of the product within the state would be considered illegal. 



The subject of bacterial cultures for the inoculation of seeds other than legumes 

 is discussed by the Department of Agriculture, Washuigton, D. C, in the June 24 

 issue of "The Official Record," page 4, also in Clip Sheet No. 364, page 2, released 

 for the week of June 15. 



