Station will not make such analyses unless the soil differs widely 

 froin 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 some cases, the correspondent reports that his crop is diseased 

 and that he desires a chemical analysis in order to ascertain what is 

 the cause. The chemical composition of the soil may in some instances 

 exercise a controlling influence in determining a condition of health 

 or disease, and is never unimportant from the standpoint of vigorous, 

 normal and healthy growth ; but in the case of most diseases, the 

 immediately active cause is the presence of a parasitic fungous, and 

 this fungous is usually capable of fixing itself upon the plant what- 

 ever may be the composition of the soil. A knowledge of the chemical 

 composition of soils, therefore, will not make it possible to advise 

 such manurial or fertilizer treatment as will insure immunity from 

 disease. 



Correspondents are urged, therefore, when writing in reference to 

 the chemical analysis of soils, 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 manures and fertilizers 

 applied and crops raised for a number of years previous to the date 

 of writing. If on receipt of such information a chemical analysis 

 seems to promise results of value, it will be made, for the present free 

 of charge, but as explained in the preceding paragraphs such analyses 

 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. 



