. 242 
ANNUAL REPORT FOR 1906 OF THE 
CONSULTING CHEMIST. 
The number of samples analysed in the Society’s laboratory 
during the twelve months, December 1, 1905, to November 30, 
1906, approached very closely to that of the previous year, 
being 559 as against 571. The complete list is given at the 
close of this Report, and does not show any marked difference 
from the lists of former years. 
The most important feature, so far as the analytical work 
on behalf of members of the Society is concerned, has been 
the introduction and passing into law of a new Fertilisers 
and Feeding Stuffs Act, superseding the former Act of 1893. 
It had come to be recognised that the old Act, however good 
in its intentions, had practically failed to fulfil the hopes that 
had been expressed concerning it, and, though useful in its 
provisions when energetically prosecuted, had in many parts 
of the country become almost a “ dead letter.” Hence the 
necessity, recognised on all hands, of introducing further 
legislation. It was found best to do this by means of a 
new Act rather than by an amendment of the existing one. 
Previous to this being brought in, the suggestions of the Royal 
Agricultural Society of England and other bodies were sought 
by the Board of Agriculture, and it can be recorded with 
satisfaction that effect has been given in great measure to the 
Society’s representations. The main difficulties in connection 
with the working of the old Act were threefold : (1) the 
reluctance of the farmer to take up the position of prosecutor ; 
(2) the complicated procedure as regards sampling ; (3) the 
evasion of the Act by the giving of worthless guarantees. 
These difficulties it has now been sought to remedy (1) by the 
appointment of official samplers to act under County Councils 
and Boroughs ; (2) by simplification of procedure in sampling ; 
(3) by compelling the giving of a guarantee of, within reasonable 
limits, the actual contents. Further, a guarantee is now required 
in the case of prepared feeding stuffs as well as of fertilisers. 
It may at once be said that these changes have produced 
a much improved Measure, and, with the issue of the Regula- 
tions that accompany it, bid fair to make the Fertilisers and 
Feeding Stuffs Act a much more useful one. The purchaser 
will largely be relieved from the odium attached to throwing 
doubt upon the bond ftdes of the vendor, and from the for- 
malities associated with taking samples and forwarding them 
for analysis. He will also have the satisfaction of knowing 
that, in future, if he has had sold to him superphosphate of, say, 
26 per cent. “ soluble phosphate,” or linseed cake with 10 per 
