123 
(rule of thumb) by the peon farmers of Mexico for the irrigation of oranges with 
alkaline water, and has proved successful in the orange orchards of Rait River Val- 
ley also. 
In brief, it was possible in one working day, by means of an expeditious method, 
to determine and locate with sufficient accuracy the danger to a valuable property, 
and make proper recommendations for its management. 
Field determinations of this sort also are additionally valuable from the fact thai 
the bridge readings, having comparative value among themselves, instantly indicate 
the trend of the results obtained. The location Of borings during the progress of 
the work may be therefore made to the best advantage and dead work avoided. 
The owner also, quickly learning the significance of the readings, participated intelli- 
gently in the work and derived additional value from the fact. 
The appearance of alkali in this instance could not ordinarily have been foretold 
by a survey of the virgin ground. Originally, that soil did not contain excessive 
salts; but the succession of abnormally hot, dry summers of the past lew years so 
concentrated our irrigating water supply that its brackish qualities gradually made 
themselves evident in the increasing alkalinity of the soil. 
To conclude, therefore, let me emphasize the utility of the pioneer soil survey to 
the newer portions of our country, and the great value of expeditious methods whereby 
the maximum of work may be accomplished in the scanty time of many of our station 
workers. In the older portions of the country a soil survey largely states facts which 
are already generally known through long tillage, but in the West it offers guidance 
to the settling stranger in his choice of location where he shall make his great effort 
for a home. 
For further discussion of the subject of soil fertility, see page 127. 
Uniform Fertilizer and Feeding-Stuffs Laws. 
The report on this subject has already been given in full in the proceedings of the 
general session, with the amended recommendations adopted by the section (p. 31). 
The recommendations were the subject of considerable discussion, especially that 
referring to the method of defraying the expenses of inspection, which was as fol- 
lows: That for the purpose of defraying the expenses of feeding-stuffs inspections, 
the State should make a direct appropriation, or where this is impracticable, a brand 
tax should be levied. In view of the experience of Maine and Vermont, a tonnage 
tax is not to be recommended. 
It was explained by B. W. Kilgore, of North Carolina, and others that in many 
Southern States the tonnage tax was practically the only available means of provid- 
ing for the expenses of inspection; that the system had worked well in connection 
with fertilizer inspection, and promised to be equally satisfactory in feeding-stuffs 
inspection where it had been tried. 
A motion to strike out the section, however, was not agreed to. 
The other recommendations were then considered in detail with the results already 
stated (p. 84).. 
C. G. Hopkins (having temporarily called another member of the section to the 
chair) offered and moved the adoption of the following resolution: 
Resolved, That the committee on uniform fertilizer laws be asked to include in 
their report a recommendation that in the statement of the analysis either the 
name of the compound, as ammonia, phosphoric acid, potash, etc., or the name of 
the element, as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, be required; that the other be also 
allowed; and that the name of the element be given preference so far as practicable. 
In support of the resolution, Professor Hopkins read the following paper: 
Shall We Say Nitrogen or "Ammonia," Phosphorus or "Phosphoric Acid," 
Potassium or "Potash"? 
Nitrogen is sometimes sold under the name of "ammonia," phosphorus commonly 
under the name of "phosphoric acid," and potassium under the name of "potash." 
To the farmer, who really wishes and tries to understand the subject of plant food, 
these names are very confusing. Indeed, it is almost impossible for anyone but a 
chemist to understand how these elements of plant food can be bought and sold 
under such names. 
