STATE INSPECTOR OF FERTILIZERS. 351 



13. Experiments in Potato Culture. — Messrs. Goodale, Knox and 

 Vincent. 



14. Devon Cattle. — Messrs. Sessions, Fearing and Gi'aves. 



15. Guernsey Cattle. — Messrs. Sargent, Stone and Goodale. 



16. What has Chemistry done for Agriculture? — Messrs. Chadbourne, 

 Goessmann and Saltonstall. 



The report was accepted, and the assignments made 

 accordingly. 



Prof. Goessmann then presented his 



SECOND ANNUAL REPORT AS STATE INSPECTOR OF FER 



TILIZERS. 



To the State Board of Agriculture : 



Gentlemen, — In presenting the results of my last year's 

 work as State Inspector of Fertilizers, I beg leave to offer a 

 few introductory remarks. 



The exertions of your committee in connection with some 

 alterations in the original "Act concerning the regulation of 

 the trade in Commercial Fertilizers" have been crowned with 

 success. The law, in its present amended form, recognizes 

 the rights of the farmers, protects the honest manufacturer, 

 places the inspector in a position favorable for efficient work, 

 and leaves the enforcement of its regulation with the execu- 

 tive officer of the Board. The introduction of an official 

 chemical inspection of fertilizers has been received with great 

 satisfaction on the part of agriculturists throughout the entire 

 country. The majority of leading manufacturers, judging from 

 many communications received, recognize the propriety of a 

 careful examination into the quality of the fertilizer sold, and 

 do not object to a corresponding responsibility regarding the 

 represented value of their articles. The objections raised 

 against a chemical control of the trade are largely based on 

 misconceptions, and only of an exceptional occurrence. 



The desire to promote a mutual understanding between 

 manufacturers and farmers regarding their respective inter- 

 ests, I hope will serve as an excuse for the manner in which 

 my analytical results are subsequently presented. 



I. — German Potash Salts. 

 Although these salines acquire deservedly, from year to 

 year, more prominence with us as a suitable source of potassa 



