It has constantly increased in the past and seems destined to do so in the future.

The intent of the fertilizer law clearly looks to the protection of farmers against fraud, by unscrupulous dealers and manufacturers, and to bring to them all the light possible upon a more intelligent and profitable use of fertilizers. The benefits of a vigorous oversight upon this traffic are quite manifest and is being had at an exceedingly low cost. I propose, however, to have much more thorough inspection in the future.

As will be seen from the report of the Chemist there is a marked increase of what may be termed miscellaneous analytical work, such as coals, oils, minerals, mineral and drinking waters, slags, limestones and a host of other samples. This is not regular systematic Station work, but it usually comes in a way that it will not permit of refusal.

The sugar beet investigation will materially increase the Chemist's labors.

Fortunately for the Station, I have been able to effect an arrangement with Dr. I. C. White, director of the State Geological and Economic Survey, by which a thorough sampling of the various typical soils of the State will be made. They will be taken under the supervision of Dr. White, and in such a manner as to truly represent particular geological formations. It is exceedingly important that we have this information, as it can be used to great advantage in connection with topographical and geological maps to be published by that survey.

Soil analysis is not a new work at Experiment Stations, for very much in many of the States has been done, but this is new to West Virginia, and when completed in accordance with the plan proposed, it will afford a record that will be invaluable to farmers and those who may now or hereafter engage in scientific work in relation to the soils of this State. Although much of the work on this subject will necessarily be routine, it does not follow that there will not be ample opportunity for original, scientific deductions of the highest character, especially in developing better methods for soil analysis.

To properly carry out my plans in this respect, it will be

necessary to have an additional assistant chemist, and with your approval, I propose to secure him whenever the right man is found and money is available for his salary. This will afford an opportunity for original investigations by the Chemist, of which very little has been done for want of time.

With the approval of the Executive Committee, I secured the services of Mr. G. H. A. Kunst, a graduate of our University, as librarian and clerk of the Experiment Station at a salary of $75 per month. His services have been entirely satisfactory. In addition to the work assigned to him, he has done some fertilizer inspection, some institute work, and also as materially assisted in the chemical laboratory when there were a large amount of fertilizer samples on hand.

An outgrowth of our larger contact with farmers at meetings and through the press is a decided increase in our correspondence. We have flattered ourselves that this is a sign of increasing confidence and interest in the work of the Station.

NEED OF A FARM.

The farm we have is not a good one for many of our purposes. I beg to call your attention to this great want of the Station, and ask that you consider the advisability of adding a suitable amount of land to that we already have, or else exchange it for other land that is better adapted to our purposes.

Referring to the Treasurer's report you will observe a balance of $1,012, which was appropriated by Act of 1897, for equipping the Experiment Station and buy ing land. This is now available for that purpose.

Attention to this matter should no longer be delayed, and I recommend that affirmative steps be taken at this time to supply this indispensable equipment.

SEED INSPECTION.

The spread of noxious weeds, such as broom sedge, Buckplantain, Ox-eyed daisy, wild carrot, sorrell, etc., is exciting much inquiry among the farmers of the State.

These undesirable weeds are becoming a serious pest and threaten to do irreparable injury to our lands if vigorous

methods for exterminating them are not adopted. Whether this is to be done by some concerted co-operative movement among the land owners of the State, or by judicious legislation, or both, remains to be seen.

These weeds have been introduced into the State principally through grass seeds purchased upon the markets by farmers. My object in mentioning this subject here, is to suggest that a reasonable and practical scheme for inspection of seeds could be made very useful to the farmers of the State. The inspec tion should be conducted with reference to the vitality of the seeds as well as to their purity. The frequent failures to secure a good catch of clover or grass can be attributed no doubt, in many instances, at least, to a lack of vitality in the seeds.

I think it would be possible, with the present force now employed at the Station, aided by a small appropriation by the State for some additional equipment, to conduct an inspection of grass and grain seeds that would be of great use to the State. Respectfully submitted,

Morgantown, W. Va.

JAS. H. STEWART, Director.

REPORT OF CHEMIST.

EQUIPMENT OF CHEMICAL DEPARTMENT.

The Chemical Department, at present, consists of (1) a large laboratory, well equipped for general routine analytical work; (2) a new laboratory intended for certain lines of original work; (3) a weighing room; (4) a store-room for crude chemicals; (5) an underground store-room for alcohol, ether, benzine, and other inflammable chemicals; (6) a part of a storeroom for chemical apparatus; (7) a part of the attic, in which, for want of a better place, is kept most of the chemical apparatus not in immediate use; (8) a large room in the basement devoted to sampling, grinding, mixing, etc.; (9) the office.

We need (1) a store room for chemical apparatus. At present the attic is really the best place at our disposal, being the only place that is out of reach of the laboratory fumes. The small room in which some of our apparatus is kept would be simply ideal for this purpose, but for the chemicals of the photographic department. Chemicals and fine apparatus should not be stored in the same room, as all metal parts of the apparatus will, in time, become corroded.

(2) A sulphureted hydrogen room. Arguments from me in behalf of this addition to our present equipment will hardly be necessary, as I am sure the entire Station Staff will glady promote any arrangement that will rid the building of this offensive gas.

(3) The greatest need in the way of equipment is a good working library. We are fairly well provided with current periodicals and standard work on analytical chemistry, but for original work, these are really the smallest part of the necessary sources of information. We should have a complete set of some one of the standard chemical journals. I ask for but one

journal. There are Stations having practically complete sets of several journals. I have asked for no other books since I have been connected with the Department, and have been careful to state, as often as the subject has been mentioned, that I preferred to wait until we were able to get the books we needed most. I desire to call special attention to the need of this addition to our chemical library, in view, of proposed investigations for the Department, and I hope you will keep this matter in mind, and arrange to procure a complete set of "Berichte" as soon as our resources will permit.

THE WORK OF THE CHEMICAL DEPARTMENT

during the past year has consisted largely of routine analytical work. "The analytical work required by our fertilizer law has demanded the lion's share of the time and energies of the Department," and this, in brief, has been the report of the Chemists of this Station since the fertilizer law went into effect. Year after year they have called attention to the character of this work and the time that must be devoted to it, so it will only be necessary for me to say, in this connection that the fertilizer work has been heavier this year than ever before, and that it is steadily increasing, and that it will be simply impossible for two men to handle this work during the busy season of the coming year.

It should be borne in mind also that in addition to the increase in this work due to the increase in the number of brands registered, the work for next year will be very much heavier on account of the more thorough inspection,-which those who framed the law evidently contemplated, and which justice to all parties demands.

ANALYTICAL WORK FOR OTHER DEPARTMENTS

has been very light this year, for the reason, doubtless, that it was so well known that this Department already had as much on hand as it could do. No one regrets this more than the chemist, who fully realizes that next to his own original investigations, his greatest opportunity for usefulness lies in the assistance which he can so often give to investigations in