191G.] 



PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 31. 



15a 



his needs unless, indeed, the bewildering number so confuses 

 him that he finds it difficult to make up his mind. Since, con- 

 nected with the sale of most of these brands, there must be a 

 certain amount of advertising, in most cases a certain number 

 of traveling salesmen, and always a more or less expensive com- 

 petition between the makers of the different kinds, the tend- 

 ency under discussion is to be regretted, for the multiplication 

 of brands must on the whole tend to an increase in the cost of 

 feeds, since the buyer must ultimately pay all the costs. 

 The following table will be of interest: — 



Number of Official Samples. 



Year. 



1909, 

 1910, 

 1911, 

 1912, 

 1913, 

 1914, 

 1915, 



Fertilizers. 



Brands. 



458 

 4S7 

 519 

 527 

 571 

 606 

 513 



Samples. 



1,052 

 890 

 1,063 

 1,180 

 1,299 

 1,307 

 1,322 



Feeds. 



Brands. 



196 

 195 

 204 

 194 

 227 

 1,002 

 1,100 



Samples. 



895 



946 

 1,055 



902 

 1,115 



924 

 1,043 



LINES OF INVESTIGATION. 



Such changes as have occurred in lines of investigation in 

 progress during the past year have been in the main incidental 

 to the gradual increase in the scope and amount of the work in 

 progress. Most of the old lines, in many cases, however, with 

 modifications suggested by the progress of the investigation, are 

 continued. The new lines of investigation begun during the 

 past year are as follows: — 



Adams Fund Projects. 

 Effect of Sulfate and Muriate of Potash on Soils of Fields A and B. 

 Lime Absorption and Acidity of Field A. 

 Investigation as to the Causation and Control of a Disease of Bees known 



as European Foul Brood. 

 Methods of Diagnosis of Bacillary White Diarrhea. 

 Broodiness in Poultry. 



