22 EXPERIMENT STATION. [Jan. 



Miscellaneous Analyses. 



The summary presented shows that a large number of mis- 

 cellaneous analyses have been made during the past year. Had 

 the individuals and associations sending in these materials paid 

 for the analyses at current commercial rates, the cost to them 

 must have amounted to between $5,000 and $6,000. It is not 

 the policy of the station to invite commercial work, and we do 

 not accept it except in cases where it appears to be almost a 

 necessity that the station make the desired analyses. Such 

 analyses are made without charge for individuals in all cases 

 where the results are likely to be of some public interest. In- 

 deed, we do not limit our free work strictly in accordance with 

 this rule, as we believe it to be good general policy to encourage 

 the spirit of study and inquiry which the desire for such 

 analyses Usually indicates. 



A few words in explanation as to the attitude of the station 

 as regards the analysis of different classes of materials for the 

 public seem called for. 



Water Analyses. — The station makes a uniform charge of 

 $3 for a sanitary analysis of drinking water. This is much 

 below the usual charge for such work, which varies widely, but 

 will probably average at least $10. The results of water 

 analysis are of interest and value, as a rule, only to the indi- 

 vidual sending in the sample. So long as these analyses were 

 made without charge the number of samples sent in was so 

 large that the work of making the analyses became a great 

 burden and seriously interfered with other work. It is not 

 believed that the charge now made is sufficiently high to deter 

 parties from sending samples for analysis in cases of necessity. 

 The charge does, however, act as a check upon the indiscriminate 

 forwarding of samples, and this was the result aimed at. 



Analyses of Milk and Cream. — Under existing laws in this 

 State the station determines fat or fat and solids in samples 

 of milk and cream at cost for creameries. Farmers' occasional 

 samples are analyzed without charge. 



Analyses of Feeds and Fertilizers. — The total number of 

 samples of feeds, fertilizers and fertilizer materials analyzed 

 during the year has been consirlorablo, and this work is beeom- 



