difference of 0.1 cc of half-normal solution makes a difference of 0.6 per cent in the result.

FORMALDEHYDE.

The methods used for the analysis of formaldehyde were the modified hydrogen peroxid method proposed by Mr. Haywood and the cyanid method.

J. K. Haywood.-The results on formaldehyde are no doubt lower than they would have been had the determination been made when the sample was received, as some insoluble polymerized formaldehyde settled on the bottom of the bottle during the time intervening between its receipt and its analysis. The acidity of the hydrogen peroxid used was determined and correction made therefor.

DISCUSSION.

The results as a whole are exceedingly good. Method II can only be used with a solution containing a small quantity of formaldehyde; therefore it seems advisable to state the strength of the solution more definitely-for example, about 1 per cent or 2 per cent solution, instead of specifying “a small quantity.” This point is referred to the next referee for investigation, and it is recommended that the hydrogen peroxid method be made official.

SULPHUR DIPS.

The method for sulphur dips was the same as that tested by the referee in 1905, and is given in Circular No. 10, Revised, Bureau of Chemistry.

R. J. Davidson, Blacksburg, Va.

June..

.0435

DISCUSSION.

The results are all good, the difference between the lowest and the highest being about 0.5 per cent. The method is easy of manipulation and very satisfactory. I would recommend that it be adopted as an official method.

LEAD ARSENATE.

The methods used for lead arsenate were those proposed by Mr. Haywood at the last meeting of the association, and are found in the Proceedings of 1906.

The material used for analysis was purchased from the same person from whom the other samples used in this work were obtained, and when received was in the form of a thick paste. It was dried and ground before being sent out.

The results are not as good as they should be. On total lead oxid there is a difference of over 2 per cent between the lowest and highest, and on the total arsenic oxid the difference is over 1 per cent. I would recommend that these methods be further tried by the next referee.

It is recommended

RECOMMENDATIONS.

(1) That the Haywood-Davidson provisional method for determining total arsenic oxid in London purple be given a further trial, and that this be compared with the original provisional method.

(2) That a further study of the amount of hydrochloric acid used in the reduction of London purple be made in order to determine if 25 cc can be used instead of 50 cc.

(3) That the provisional precipitation method for the analyses of soda lye be referred to the referee with a view to its adoption as official.

(4) That the provisional potassium acid sulphate method for the analysis of soda lye be dropped from the methods of analysis.

(5) That the provisional hydrogen peroxid method for the determination of formaldehyde be referred to the referee with a view to its adoption as official.

U. S. Dept. Agr., Bureau of Chemistry, Bul. 105, page 165.

(6) That the cyanid method for the determination of formaldehyde be further studied in order to determine more definitely what strength of formaldehyde may be estimated by this method.

(7) That the provisional hydrogen peroxid method for the determination of sulphur in sulphur dips be referred to the referee with a view to its adoption as official.

(S) That the methods proposed by Mr. Haywood for the analyses of lead arsenate be made provisional and further studied with a view to their adoption by the association.

REPORT OF COMMITTEE A ON RECOMMENDATIONS OF REFEREES. By R. J. DAVIDSON, Chairman.

(Phosphoric acid, potash, nitrogen, soils, ash, and insecticides.)

It is recommended—

(1) NITROGEN.

(1) That "20 cc of sulphuric acid," line 3, under (3) Determination, page 6, Bulletin 107, on Methods of Analysis, be changed to read “from 20 to 30 ce of sulphuric acid."

Adopted.

(2) That in line 4, same reference, the following phrase be inserted after the word "acid: from 0.1 to 0.3 gram of crystallized copper sulphate may also be used in addition to the mercury or in lieu of it."

Referred to the referee for 1908 with a recommendation for adoption.

(3) That following the sixth line from the bottom of page 6, same reference, after the words "standard acid," this sentence be added: "During at least the first ten minutes of distillation the lower end of the condenser tube should dip beneath the surface of the standard acid.”

The motion to adopt this recommendation was lost.

(4) That on page 7 of Bulletin 107, under “(b) Gunning method, (3) Determination," line 4, after the words "sulphuric acid" the following phrase be inserted: "from 0.1 to 0.3 gram of crystallized copper sulphate may also be added."

Referred to the referee for final action as to adoption in 1908.

(5) That on page 7 of Bulletin 107, after insert recommended under (4), add the following:

Approximately 0.7 gram of mercuric oxid or its equivalent in metallic mercury may also be added, before the addition of the potassium sulphate, but if mercury be used potassium sulphid must be employed, as in the Kjeldahl method, in the distillation.

This recommendation was referred to the committee on the revision of methods to be inserted as a special method instead of being introduced as the referee recommended,

It is recommended

(2) POTASH.

(1) That since the volumetric method for potash, especially in soils, saves much time, the study of this method for use in soil and fertilizer analysis be continued; and further that the recommendation made by Mr. Cushman in 1906, to the effect that the referee "turn his attention to a definition of available potash," be made the basis for work the coming year.

Adopted.

50056-Bull. 116-08- -9

It is recommended—

(3) PHOSPHORIC ACID.

(1) That Thomas or basic slag be prepared for analysis as are other fertilizers or fertilizing materials under the methods of this association.

Adopted provisionally pending further work.

(2) That the solution for analysis be made according to (a), page 2, Bulletin 107, under "(2) Total phosphoric acid," or in strong hydrochloric acid alone. In the latter case, after the portion for analysis is measured out, add nitric acid and heat for a few minutes. Then determine total phosphoric acid according to the official methods.

Adopted provisionally pending further work.

(3) That the fineness of the material be determined according to the plan followed with bone meal and the commercial value estimated on the basis of total phosphoric acid and fineness of product.

Adopted provisionally pending further work,

(4) That the referee further study the subject of basic slag with a view to devising some method for the determination of the available phosphoric acid which it contains.

This recommendation was made by Committee A and was adopted.

(4) INORGANIC PLANT CONSTITUENTS.

It is recommended

(1) That the peroxid method remain provisional [not adopted as official as recommended by the referee].

Adopted.

(2) That the combustion method be adopted as provisional. Adopted.

(3) That the method for ash, as given in Bulletin 46, page 77, be readopted as official.

Adopted.

(4) That the development of methods for determining iron and aluminum in ash be referred to the referee for 1908.

Adopted.

(5) SOILS.

It is recommended

(1) That the modified J. L. Smith method for total potassium be further tested. (Circular 32, p. 4.)

Adopted.

(2) That the sodium peroxid fusion method for total phosphorus be adopted as a provisional method of this association and be further tested. (Bul. 99, p. 111; Bul. 105, p. 145.)

Adopted.

(3) That the determination of volatile matter (page 14, Bulletin 107, section 4) be replaced by the "Determination of Total Organic Carbon" (J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 1904, 26: 1640).

In lieu of this it was recommended by Committee A that the method suggested for the determination of total organic carbon be referred to the committee on revision of methods for insertion as an additional determination, the original method to be also retained.

The recommendation of Committee A was adopted.

It is recommended

(6) INSECTICIDES.

(1) That the Haywood-Davidson provisional method for determining total arsenic oxid in London purple be given a further trial, and that this be compared with the original provisional method. (Bul. 107, pp. 28, 29; also Cir

cular 10.)

Adopted.

(2) That a further study of the amount of hydrochloric acid used in the reduction of London purple be made in order to determine whether 25 cc can be used instead of 50 cc.

Adopted.

(3) That the provisional precipitation method for the analysis of soda lye be made official. (Bul. 107, p. 31; also Circular 10.)

Referred to the referee for 1908 for final recommendation.

(4) That the provisional potassium acid sulphate method for the analysis of soda lye be dropped from the methods of the association.

Adopted.

(5) That the provisional hydrogen peroxid method for the determination of formaldehyde be made official. (Bul. 107, p. 33.)

Referred to the referee for 1908 for final recommendation.

(6) That the cyanid method for the determination of formaldehyde be further studied in order to determine more definitely what strength of formaldehyde may be estimated by this method. (Bul. 107, p. 33.)

Adopted.

(7) That the provisional hydrogen peroxid method for the determination of sulphur in sulphur dips be made official. (Bul. 107, p. 34.) Referred to the referee for 1908 for final recommendation.

(8) That the methods proposed by J. K. Haywood for the analysis of lead arsenate (Proceedings 1906, Bul. 105, p. 165) be made provisional, and further studied with a view to their adoption by the association.

Adopted.

The association voted to hold the convention of 1908 in Washington and the meeting adjourned.