348 EXPERIMENT STATION. [Jan. 1911. 



plant, whatever may be the composition of the soil. A knowledge of 

 tlie chemical composition of soils, therefore, will not make it possible 

 to advise such manurial or fertilizer treatment as will insure immunity 

 from disease. 



Conditions under which Analyses will be made. 



For the reasons which have been briefly outlined, the chemical analysis 

 of soils does not, as a rule, afford results which have a value commensu- 

 rate with the cost ; and this station, therefore, will not make such 

 analysis unless the soil differs widely from the normal in natural 

 characteristics, or has been subjected to unusual treatment of such a 

 nature as to probably greatly influence its chemical condition. In 

 order that we may decide whether analj'sis seems called for, con'e- 

 spondents are urged to write before taking samples, and when doing- 

 so to state all the conditions as fully as possible. This statement should 

 include a full description of the soil and as full a report as possible 

 as to the manures and fertilizers applied and croi:»s raised for a num- 

 ber of years previous to the date of writing'. In all eases in which, 

 on the basis of the information given, it appears that a chemical 

 analysis promises results of value, such an analysis will be made, and 

 for the present free of charge; but, as explained in the preceding 

 paragraphs, such analj'ses appear to be only rarely worth while. It 

 will usually be possible to give helpful advice in relation to the use 

 of manures and fertilizers on receipt of a full statement as to the 

 character and history of the soil and the crop which is to be raised, 

 and such advice will always be gladly given. 



In case analysis is regarded as desirable, full directions for taking 

 and forwarding samples will be sent. 



