1907.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 33. 15 



the fertilizers purchased hy the farmer cost more as a conse- 

 quence of this needless multiplication of brands. It would 

 seem to be the part of common sense for the manufacturers to 

 reduce their number, for whatever enables them to lower the 

 price to the consumer must eventually help manufacturer and 

 dealer as well as consumer. The fertilizers analyzed during 

 the past year have shown an improvement in quality, as com- 

 pared with stated composition. No particular improvement 

 can be noted in the direction of better adaptation to crops. 

 The different brands of special crop fertilizers show the same 

 extreme variations as heretofore. It is evident that not all 

 of the fertilizers advertised as suitable for any particular crop 

 can possibly meet the promises of the manufacturers. The 

 analyses completed by the station show some decline in the 

 general quality of w^ood ashes, and the report emphasizes the 

 desirability that consumers of ashes should purchase only on a 

 guarantee as to quality. 



The report of the section of foods and feeding is largely 

 devoted to the presentation of the results of experiments to 

 determine the digestibility of some of the newer food stuffs. 

 The publication of such results seems to be essential as a basis 

 for proper use of such materials. The report calls attention 

 to the general results of the analyses of samples of drinking 

 water, which indicate, as in previous years, the necessity of 

 caution in cases where contamination seems possible or is sus- 

 pected. The report includes also brief statements of the re- 

 sults of the execution of the feed and dairy laws. Dealers in 

 food stuffs seem in general disposed to comply with the law, 

 although in a few cases it is believed that retailers are in the 

 habit of removing or failing to attach labels required by the 

 law. Attention is called to the fact that the tests of Babcock 

 glassware for accuracy show a comparatively large proportion 

 to be inaccurately graduated. There is much need of greater 

 care on the part of manufacturers. 



The results of a feeding trial in which Porto Rico molasses 

 was tested are presented. They show such molasses to have 

 apparently about 80 per cent, of the value of corn meal. At- 

 tention, however, is called to the fact that molasses depresses 

 the digestibility of other foods. Should it be found that such 



