1917.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 31. 35 a 



Dr. Holland and an assistant have devoted a large share of 

 attention to investigations in the chemistry of butter fat, and a 

 paper on the determination of stearic acid has been published 

 in the Journal of Agricultural Research ("Determination of 

 Stearic Acid in Butter Fat," Vol. VI., No. 3, pp. 101-113). The 

 work on which this paper is based makes it apparent that the 

 methods discovered make it possible to make the determination 

 in question with much greater accuracy than has formerly been 

 possible. The same investigators have made much progress in 

 perfecting methods for the determination of other acids in 

 butter fat. 



Professor Morse has brought to completion one phase of his 

 investigations into the chemistry of the asparagus plant, and the 

 results with practical advice based upon them are published in 

 Bulletin No. 171, which will be found in later pages and which 

 can be furnished on application. Attention has been called to 

 some of the results which appear to be among the more impor- 

 tant, and the practical conclusions based upon them, in my re- 

 port for the year on the asparagus substation in Concord 

 (pages 23a-25a). 



Professor Morse and an assistant have also determined the 

 residual effects of a long-time application of sulfate v. muriate 

 of potash on Field B. The results obtained indicate no mate- 

 rial difference in the effects of the two salts on the residual 

 calcium, magnesium or potassium in the soil. The question as 

 to whether there are other residual effects of importance is 

 receiving further study. 



The number of tests of pure-bred cows for admission to 

 advanced registry has shown a marked increase, and the results 

 of this work appear to be satisfactory to all concerned. There 

 has been some agitation during the year in favor of permitting 

 cow test associations, which are under the supervision of county 

 farm bureaus, to conduct advanced registry work. Since the 

 value of such work is clearly dependent upon its being done 

 with absolute accuracy, it seems to those in the station con- 

 nected with it advisable to keep it under our immediate close 

 supervision. The granting of the permission referred to, there- 

 fore, has been opposed by the station, and our position has been 

 endorsed by the Association of Dairy Instructors. 



