Agricultural Research in New Hampshire 57 



0.005 per cent. The seed pieces were dipped in the solutions for 10 min- 

 utes and then planted in sand in flats. The p-thiocresol and indolbutyric 

 acid showed toxic effects, but the others were similar to the controls. The 

 few survivors of the p-thiocresol treatment grew more vigorously than 

 others. 



Stuart Dunn 



STATE SERVICE 



Inspection of Fertilizers and Feedingstuffs, and Soil Testing 



In accordance with the public statues regulating the sale of commer- 

 cial fertilizers and of concentrated commercial feedingstuffs, 36 brands 

 of fertilizers and 233 brands of feedingstuffs were analyzed during the 

 year 1944-45. These analyses involved individual determinations total- 

 ing 225 and 1822 respectively. Studies on the determination of ribo- 

 flavin, mentioned last year, have been continued, and some work has 

 been done on the determination of choline. Co-operation in work on 

 analytical methods with the American Association of Feed Control Offi- 

 cials and with the Smalley Foundation has been continued. 



Miscellaneous samples of feeds, fertilizers, and other materials have 

 also been analyzed for residents of the state. Over 100 samples have been 

 examined, involving some 360 determinations. Cases of suspected live- 

 stock poisoning have been more numerous than usual. 



Over 900 samples of soils have been tested for residents of the state, 

 an appreciable increase over 1943-44. 



T. O. SxiiTH, H. A. Davis. G. P. Percival 



Seed Inspection """^^ 



The new seed law requires that all agricultural and vegetable seed 

 shall have been tested for germination within nine months of the time it 

 is offered for sale. Samples of carried-over seed, therefore, were received 

 during the fall and winter of 1944-45. From October 16 through April, 

 with a few samples straggling in during May and June, 1309 private 

 samples have been tested. These are samples of carried-over seed sent in 

 by dealers and 25 or 30 samples of corn and beans raised by farmers who 

 wished to sell them for seed. 



The Commissioner of Agriculture authorized the seed analyst to 

 make inspection trips, and, as a result, 172 official samples were collected 

 and 47 stores visited in this section of the state. Since June first, the seed 

 inspector has brought in 62 more official samples, niaking a total of 245 

 official samples tested this season, which will be reported in Station Bulle- 

 tin 357. Much can be accomplished by working with the dealers in cases 

 where they have been a little thoughtless or careless about keeping the 

 proper labels with the seed or are keeping seed over from year to year. 



