REPORT OF CHEMIST. 



J. M. Baktlett. 



FERTILIZERS. 



The official methods adopted by the Association of Official Agri- 

 cultural Chemists (see bulletin No. 16, U. S. D'p't of Agr'I,) have 

 been quite closely followed, therefore only the most important varia- 

 tions are published below. 



Soluble Phosphoric Acid. 



In this determination the substance is brought directly upon a 

 filter and leached with 300 to 350 c. e. water into a 400 c. c. flask, 

 care being taken to add the water in small portions at first, and 

 allow each portion to run through before adding a new one. After 

 the leaching is completed the solution is made up to the mark and 

 100 c. c. taken for analysis. This seems to us the simplest and 

 best method yet recommended, as we get no higher results by 

 following the official directions. Washing by decantation from a 

 beaker is especially objectionable with phosphates, that revert 

 rapidl}', as quite a portion of the phosphoric acid is precipitated in 

 the beaker and remains on the filter. 



In many instances only 15 to 20 minnte=? time has been allowed 

 for the precipitation of phosphoric acid with ammonium molybdate, 

 and it has always been found to be completely precipitated. 



Potash. 



The same method as employed heretofore and described in Maine 

 Experiment Station report for 1886-1887 has been used, as it has 

 required less time than the Gladding method and gives accurate 

 results. 



Nitrogen. 



When nitrates were present a modification of the Kjeldahl Jodlbauer 

 method which was worked up and tested at this station during the 



