1909.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 31. 23 



iiig something of a burden. Individuals should consult the 

 station publications, in which analyses of identical materials 

 will often be found, before sending in samples or wi'iting for 

 analyses. The inspection service of the station is now so 

 thoroughly organized that there are relatively few materials 

 coming under these classes which have any considerable im- 

 portance that are not officially collected and analyzed. In all 

 cases, however, where individuals desire to purchase either feeds 

 or fertilizers on a guaranty of composition to be determined by 

 station analysis, the station holds itself in readiness to make 

 such analyses as are needed, and will undertake to do this work 

 and to report results with all possible promptness in all cases 

 where the quantity involved is large enough to make the work 

 worth while. Such analyses will be made without charge, if 

 parties desiring them conform with the instructions sent. 



Analyses of Soils. — During the past year there has been a 

 very great increase in the number of requests for chemical 

 analyses of samples of soils. It is evident that there exists a 

 widespread misapprehension as to the value of such analyses. 

 It appears to be believed that it is necessary only to make a 

 chemical analysis in order to determine what fertilizers will be 

 required. The following letter, received within a few days, 

 fairly represents the attitude of most correspondents relative 

 ■ to this work : — 



Gentlemen : — I write for information for Mr. , the owner of 



a. large farm in , Mass. He wishes to know if he can send you 



samples of soil for analysis; most likely would send 8 or 10 samples 

 from different parts of his farm. In what form and in what quantity 

 should he send, and what would be the expense for analysis of each 

 package sent? He would also like to know what crop would produce 

 the best results for each sample sent, and the best fertilizer for each 

 sample and the quantity required, and would be pleased to pay for any 

 catalogue or information in circidar form you can furnish him on 

 scientific farming. . . . 



The views which we hold relative to the possible value of 

 such work, and the attitude of the station in relation to it, 

 will perhaps be made clear by the following quotation from a 

 circular on the subject: — 



