V 



,^4 EXPERTMEXT STATION RECORD. 



The production of phosphate rock in 1910, F. B. Van Horn (U. S. Gaol. 

 t^urvey, Advance Chapter from Mineral Resources of the United f^tntes Calendar 

 Year 1910, iw- U; Amer. Fcrt., 35 {1911), No: 5, pp- 21-28).— It is stated that 

 the total prodiictiou of phosphate rock in the United States in 1910 was 2,654,988 

 long tons, vahied at $10,917,000, as compared with 2.330,152 long tons, valued at 

 $10,772,120, in 1900. " The increase was mainly in Florida rock, although the 

 Tennessee production also showed a considerable gain." 



Statistics of exports and imports are also given, and methods of mining are 

 described, as is the following simple field test for phosphate rock : " Place a 

 small crystal of ammonium molybdate on the rock to be tested, then drop a 

 little dilute nitric acid on the crystal. If the crystal turns yellow, it indicates 

 the presence of jihosphorus. The deeper the yellow the higher the phosphat*^ 

 content." 



The lime in basic slag: A correction and addition, J. Hendrick (Jour. 

 Soc. Chem. Indus., 30 {1911), No. 9, pp. 520-522; ahs. in Chem. Ztg., 35 {1911), 

 2Vo. 91, Repert., p. SSJi). — This is a further contribution to this subject (E. S. R., 

 22, p. 25), dealing particularly with the error in previous results due to loss of 

 ammonia on distillation of dilute solutions of ammonium sulphate. The losses 

 so found were too small to affect materially the general conclusions of the pre • 

 vious article, but the author is of the opinion that in view of the fact that 

 some loss does occur " a solution of ammonium chlorid provides a better method 

 of determining the available base in slag than distillation with a solution of 

 ammonium sulphate." 



Is hydrated silicic acid in burnt lime injurious to soils? H. Immendorff 

 {Mitt. Dciit. Landw. OesclL, 26 {1911). No. 38, pp. 5t.'f-516; ahs. in lUus. 

 Landw. Ztg., 31 {1911), No 78, p. l^fl). — The author reports experiments which 

 showed that, contrary to the general teaching on the subject, limes containing 

 high percentages (from 2.G9 to 13.88 per cent) of soluble silicic acid had no 

 injurious effect upon the soil when used according to the ordinary practice of 

 liming. The author is of the opinion that not only are such limes not injurious 

 to soils but that a certain amount of soluble silica is beneficial in connection 

 with the formation of zeolites. 



Limes and liming, J. L. Hills, C H. Jones, et al. {Vermont Sta. Bui. 160, 

 pp. 3S7-////0, pis. 2, pg. 1). — This is a very complete summary of information 

 regarding the history of liming, the forms of lime used, the lime trade and cost 

 of lime in various forms, the functions of lime in soils and in plant growth, 

 and the practice of liming. It is stated that " the practice of liming is rapidly 

 increasing in New England. Vermont produces about $200,000 worth annually, 

 used mostly for building purposes, but increasingly in agriculture." It is urged 

 that those who contemplate the use of lime should carefully study the practice 

 of liming, as much damage may be done by ill advised use of lime. 



In regard to fertilizing sugar beets with sodium chlorid, H. Briem {Dent. 

 Landiv. Presse, 38 {1911), No. 72, pp. 827, 828).— The author reviews different 

 experiments by others comparing mixtures of sodium chlorid and ammonium 

 sulphate with sodium nitrate on sugar beets, and emphasizes the favorable 

 results obtained from the use of this combination of fertilizers as a substitute 

 for sodium nitrate. 



Commercial fertilizers, their composition, preparation, and use, A. 

 RuMPLER, revised by R. Woy {Die kaiiflichen Diingerstoffe, ihre Zusammen- 

 setzung, Geivinnung und Anwendung. Berlin, 1911, 5. ed. rev., pp. 192; rev. in 

 Chem. Ztg., 35 {1911), No. 81, p. ^77).— The fourth edition of this book was 

 issued in 1897. In the present edition, the fifth, the work has been carefully 

 revised and brought up to date. 



