22 DrrECTOR’S REPORT OF THE 
Varieties of strawberries, with cultural directions.—Bulletin 276 
describes the newer varieties of strawberries with some of the 
standard kinds for comparison. These descriptions are followed 
by brief cultural directions which answer, to a degree, the many 
inquiries which come to this Station in regard to the growing of 
strawberries. In describing the varieties emphasis is put upon the 
strong and weak features of the new varieties when tested under 
the soil conditions at this Station; it is pointed out that results 
are not to be taken as absolute, or even as indicating what might 
be expected under widely different conditions of environment. | 
Varieties of raspberries and blackberries, with cultural directions. 
—Bulletin 278 discusses raspberries and blackberries much as Bul- 
letin 276 discusses strawberries. An interval of eight years elapsed 
between the publication of this bulletin and any other upon the 
subject from this Station. This brings the Station’s notes, as to 
the behavior of varieties of the two fruits, up to date. It puts in 
condensed form information valuable to the small fruit grower. 
INSPECTION WORK. 
The Station annually receives for analysis from the Commis- 
sioner of Agriculture from twelve to fifteen hundred samples of 
fertilizers and feeding stuffs, requiring upwards of eight thousand 
single chemical determinations. Some of these determinations are 
rendered more time-consuming by the fact that occasionally they 
must serve as testimony in court. These samples are known to 
the Station authorities only by number. As these analyses are the 
basis for determining whether fertilizer manufacturers are violating 
the law as to the quality of their goods, it is necessary to surround 
this part of our work with all needed precautions as to accuracy. 
The Station’s part in fertilizer inspection is one of the most laborious 
and expensive duties that it has to perform. 
Numerous samples of fertilizers and feeding stuffs are received 
from manufacturers, dealers and consumers with requests for analy- 
ses. These samples are not official in their character and are ana- 
lyzed only when the circumstances seem to justify the expense 
involved. The impression seems to prevail on the part of some 
manufacturers that it is the duty of the Station to make the analyses 
on which they base their guarantees. No such requirement is even 
