6 HATCH EXPERIMENT STATION. [Jan. 



to this disease when grown in soil possessing little water- 

 retaining properties, and a strong relation appears to exist 

 between dry seasons and the occurrence of the summer or 

 injurious stage of the rust. 



The chemical division (foods and feeding) has analyzed 

 during the year 2,045 substances, besides carrying on for 

 the Association of Official Agricultural Chemists investiga- 

 tions relative to the best methods for the determination of 

 starch, pentosans and galactan in agricultural products. 



The chemical division (fertilizers) has issued 67 licenses 

 to manufacturers, importers and dealers in commercial fer- 

 tilizers and agricultural chemicals, 38 of whom had offices 

 of general distribution in Massachusetts ; 384 samples of 

 fertilizers were collected in the open markets by experienced 

 assistants of the station, and 362 were analyzed and the re- 

 sults published in bulletins. 



Reports from the different divisions, giving in detail the 

 work of the year, accompany this brief summary. 



