"Canada hard wood ashes." These samples have been grouped 

 by themselves within the same limits, as follows : 



Number of samples. Per cent of potash. 



The variation in quantity of water in ashes was remarkable, 

 ranging from less than 1 per cent to over 30 per cent. Seven- 

 teen samples showed over 20 per cent, or 400 pounds of water 

 in one ton. The most common amount was between 10 and 12 

 per cent, or from 200 to 240 pounds per ton. One sample 

 received at this station yielded over 500 pounds of water per 

 ton, and it is scarcely necessary to state that the purchaser of 

 those ashes was dissatisfied with his bargain. 



REGULATIONS CONCERNING ANALYSES 



The act of congress establishing experiment stations provides 

 that they shall, among other things, study the chemical compo- 

 sition of useful plants, soils and water, manures natural or arti- 

 ficial, the different kinds of food for domestic animals, products 

 of tlie dairy, and such other substances connected with the 

 agricultural industry as may in each case be deemed advisable. 



The board of trustees has therefore passed resolutions re- 

 garding the performance of chemical work by the station for 

 the people of the state, which are substantially as follows : The 

 experiment station will analyze substances coming within the 

 limits of the above act which are sent by parties within the 

 state, whenever it appears that the analyses will be of interest 

 to the public or of value in connection with the experimental 

 work of the station. Such substances will receive attention in 

 the order in which they arrive, and must be sent with express 

 or postal charges prepaid. Parties sending substances for anal- 

 yses may be required to furnish such information with regard 

 to them as the officers of the station may deem necessary to 

 make the results of greatest value to the public. 



