portant to spray for the second brood as it is for the first. The spraying for the second brood should be done between the first and middle of August.

The San Jose scale has been found in 44 counties in this state, and we now have under way experiments with several different mixtures, all of which are said to be sure death to the scale. In our next report we hope to have something definite on this subject.

Greenhouse culture of tomatoes and lettuce.-Owing to the unreliable method of heating the greenhouse last winter, our experiments with tomatoes and lettuce were interfered with to such an extent as to make it undesirable to publish results.

A New Aphid.-During the summer of 1904 plant lice were found to be very abundant in a field of Houghton gooseberries, near the city of Indianapolis. The peculiar manner in which they worked attracted attention, and specimens were taken and sent to Dr. L. O. Howard at Washington, who pronounced the aphid a new species, and drawings were accordingly made by Mr. Heidemann, of the Division of Entomology.

In the field of gooseberries, there were scattering plants of another variety, and it was noticed that none of these plants were infested by the aphis. I then made several attempts during the summer of 1904 and also of 1905 to colonize them on various other varieties of gooseberry, but in no case did I succeed in inducing them to feed. They multiplied so rapidly, however, upon the Houghton, that the owner was obliged to give up the fight after two seasons' experience and destroy the entire five acres of plants. Hence, I have designated it as Aphis Houghtonensis.

Description: The wingless females of the summer broods are about one-sixteenth of an inch in length, of a pale green color; eyes prominent; antennae and legs of a yellowish tint and covered with scattering short spines, except the terminal joint of the antennae ; antennae a little more than half the length of the body. Honey tubes prominent, nearly as long as from their base to the tip of the abdomen. The winged forms measure nearly three-sixteenths of an inch to the tip of the wings when folded; color of the wings and body a shade darker than the wingless forms; antennae nearly one half larger than the body; spread of wings, three times the length of the body; eyes somewhat darker than the wingless forms while the legs are not so spiney; honey tubes about the same length in both forms. Respectfully submitted,

JAMES TROOP,

Horticulturist.

REPORT OF THE CHEMICAL DEPARTMENT.

Arthur Goss, Director.

Sir: The following is a brief account of the work of the Chemical Department for the year ending June 30, 1905.

General Work.

1. The study of the corn plant under different conditions of moisture and fertilization was continued. The harvest of the plats in November, 1904, showed a marked difference in the crop produced on the irrigated and unirrigated portions, the former giving much larger yields. The severe windstorm the latter part of August blew down the corn so badly that it was deemed inadvisable to take samples with a view to ascertaining the points set forth in the previous report. The present season has been exceptional as regards moisture and atmospheric conditions and while from the standpoint of irrigation, not much information may be obtained, it is hoped that considerable data may be secured regarding the composition of the corn plant under different kinds of fertilization.

2. The cooperative experiments with the Bureau of Chemistry, U. S. Department of Agriculture, on the influence of environment on the composition of the sugar beet was concluded and the results published in bulletins No. 95 and No. 96 of that Department.

3. The investigation of the effect of fertilization on the growth and composition of the sugar beet was concluded.

4. The investigation of the composition of the water underlying muck soils at different seasons and its possible influence on the growth of crops was continued.

5. The investigation in cooperation with the Agricultural Department in corn breeding was continued. One hundred and sixty-one samples of corn were analyzed, necessitating 322 determinations of moisure, 322 determinations of nitrogen, and 253 determinations of fat. A part of the results obtained appear in Bulletin No. 105.

6. An investigation in cooperation with the Dairy Department concerning the moisture content of butter under different conditions of manufacture was continued. Complete analyses of several samples of butter were also made for the Dairy Department. In connection with this work, original methods of manipulation for determining the curd and salt were devised. A sampie of milk preservative was also analyzed for the Dairy Department and the amount of corrosive sublimate necessary to preserve

samples of milk while awaiting tests in the creamery, was determined.

7. Samples of stock food, including Linden Stock and Pulp Company's feed, hominy chops, and other feeds were analyzed for the Animal Husbandry Department, and various farmers.

A sample of cattle food received from Mr. C. O. White, Ossian, Ind., and said to retail at Ossian at seven cents per pound, gave the following results on analysis:

Moisture at 100° C....

Sodium Chloride (NaCl) common salt.

Iron (Fe)

Sulfur tri-oxide (SO)..

Carbon (C)....

Ash

Total

%

0.49

% 96.73

The sulfur tri-oxide was probably present as sodium sulfate, (an impurity in the salt). The carbonaceous matter was doubtless used to color the mixture, thus preventing recognition of the main ingredient-salt.

At the time this material was analyzed, March 20, 1905, a barrel of salt containing 280 pounds retailed in LaFayette for $1.10, which would make the actual cost of the mixture less than one-half cent per pound.

The above is only one example of many coming to our notice, emphasizing the need of a law regulating the sale of cattle foods, similar to our fertilizer law, providing for a guarantee by the manufacturer and rigid inspection and chemical control.

8. The work of the Associate Chemist, begun some years ago in cooperation with Professor H. A. Huston, on the effect of varying conditions of time, temperature, acidity, alkalinity, volume and dilution on the solubility of natural phosphates in neutral ammonium citrate and citric acid solutions has made but little progress the past year owing to lack of time, which made necessary a large amount of routine work and prevented the giving of time to the completion of the investigation.

Some 13 natural phosphates have already been examined, and it is hoped that time will soon be obtained to conclude the investigation, which in addition to the original work planned, has been extended to include the complete analyses of all materials examined. For the latter part of the work a large amount of investigation will be required in devising trustworthy methods.

9. In connection with the analytical work of the fertilizer control, there has been carried on an investigation as to the best

methods of preparing neutral ammonium citrate. This has included a comparison of different indicators. the calcium chloride and corrallin method of neutralization, the determination of ammonia per liter in each citrate solution prepared in the laboratory for the past 12 years, a study of methods for determining citric acid in ammonium citrate solution, and the preparation of C. P. solutions of neutral ammonium citrate specific gravity 1.09.

An attempt is now being made to devise means whereby a theoretical solution of neutral ammonium citrate of specific gravity 1.09 can be prepared, using the required amount of C. P. citric acid and ammonia of 0.96 specific gravity, the difficulty of preparing such a solution being due to the danger of loss of ammonia from so strong a solution.

Cooperative Work.

The cooperative fertilizer test work has been continued during the year, and owing to increased funds from the State appropriation, has been considerably extended. On July 1, fertilizer tests were being conducted in 21 places in the state and arrangements have since been made for such work in a number of other places. A list of the work in progress July I will be found elsewhere.

This work in a number of places is much more comprehensive than a simple fertilizer test for a single season. The investigations of the cause and method of improving the unproductiveness of muck soils, for example, which was started in Tippecanoe county in 1902, and in Newton county in 1904, involves tests of a variety of substances, such as a number of different potash compounds and of phosphoric acid, nitrogen, lime. soda and magnesium sulfate, sodium chloride, ferric hydrate. ferrous sulfate, lamp black, straw and manure. These tests also include a study of the residual effects of the various fertilizers. This work will be continued for a number of years.

Similar investigations are also in progress in other parts of the state on different types of soils, and with several different crops. In several places studies are being made of the comparative effects of acid phosphate and raw rock phosphate. Also the effects of other forms of phosphoric acid, different forms of nitrogen, potash and lime, and of manure and legume crops. These series are also to run for a number of years. It is not necessary to enter into a detailed discussion of this work at this time, as the same will be published in bulletin form in the near future.

In connection with the fertilizer test work, samples of soil are being taken and analyzed in order to determine what relation. exists between the composition of the soil and its fertilizer re

quirements. During the year covered by this report, 25 such samples have been analyzed. These analyses will be published later in bulletin form.

State Chemist Work.

The work of administering the fertilizer law was transferred from the University to the Station on July 1, 1904, and a large amount of the time of the Chemical Department has been devoted to carrying out the provisions of the fertilizer law.

Practically every county in the state where fertilizer was used has been visited by our deputies who are on the road about six weeks in the spring and from six to eight weeks in the fall collecting samples, the remainder of the year being spent in analyzing the samples cbtained.

In the fall of 1904, 430 sampes were taken, and in the spring of 1905, 318 samples. The analyses of these samples involved 1160 determinations of total phosphoric acid, 1007 determinations of insoluble phosphoric acid, 868 determinations of nitrogen, and 771 determinations of potash.

The poor wheat crop of 1903 reduced the sale of fertilizer in the fall of 1904, but the good prospects for a crop this season and the increase in the use of fertilizer on corn, and by the growers of onions and potatoes, caused a large increase in the amount of fertilizer used in the spring of 1905, the sales being unequalled by the spring sales of any preceding year.

Owing to the decreasing revenue as the result of low sales in 1903 and 1904, the laboratory has been forced to run with two less assistants than are really required to handle the work.

The office work and letters requesting information regarding fertilizer questions have increased to such an extent that nearly the entire time of the Chief Deputy has been demanded in attending to the same.

A number of affidavits have been filed with the prosecutors in accordance with instructions given to deputies to file affidavits in every case of the violation of the fertilizer law.

The work of the Department is in excellent condition. The results of the analyses of the inspection samples collected during the fall of 1904 have already been published as a part of Bulletin No. 106, and the analyses of the samples collected last spring are well under way, and the advance reports will soon be sent to the manufacturers and agents.

Respectfully submitted,

ARTHUR Goss, Chemist.

W. J. JONES, JR., Associate Chemist.