AGRICULTURAL BOTANY. o5 



[Compilation of analyses of fertilizing materials], H. D. Haskins and 

 L. S. Walkeb { Massachusetts Sta. Rpt. 1910, pt. 1, pp. 30^-322).— This is a 

 compilation of analyses, made for the most part at the Massachusetts College 

 and Station of ohemicals and refuse salts, phosphates and guanos, ashes, lime 

 compounds and marls, by-products and refuse substances, and animal manures, 

 and continues work previously noted (E. S. R.. 18, p. 220). 



Commercial fertilizers in 1910-11, G. S. Fbaps (Texas Sta. Bui. l.'fO, pp. 

 21). — This bulletin refers to the new fertilizer ];uv enacted by the legislature of 

 1911, which, it is asserted, "gives much better protection to the consumer than 

 the previous law," explains terms used in fertilizer analyses, and gives guar- 

 antied and actual analyses and valuations of fertilizers registered for sale in 

 Texas during the year ended August 31. 1911. 



Commercial fertilizers, J. L. Hills, C. H. Jones, et al. {Vernwnt Sta. Bui. 

 160, pp. 299-386, Ji37-4JiO). — The results of analyses of 157 brands of fertilizers, 

 representing 14 companies, are reported and discussed, in comparison with re- 

 sults of analyses of previous years. Ninety-three per cent of the brands met 

 their guaranties. The crude stock used to furnish phosphoric acid and potash 

 appeared to be of good quality. More mineral nitrogen was used than in pre- 

 vious years, even the low-grade brands of fertilizers containing it. Organic 

 nitrogen of good quality was found in the goods of 10 companies. 



" The average selling price was $31.41 ; the average valuation, $19.53. One 

 dollar in three spent for mixed fertilizers v.-as paid to the manufacturer, rail- 

 road, and selling agent for their work, while but two of the three were paid for 

 plant food. But 56 cents' worth of plant food was bought for a dollar in 

 average low grade goods, and 62 cents' worth in medium-grade goods. The 

 average high grade brand, however, afforded 65 cents' worth for a dollar. 

 Some Vermont consumers paid fully twice as much for plant food as' did 

 others." 



AGRICULTURAL BOTANY. 



Seed plants, flowering' plants, or phanerogams, K. Wilhelm (Die Samen- 

 pflanzen (Blutenpjlanzeii, Plianerofjamcn). Vienna and Leipsic, 1910, pp. XVI-{- 

 151). — This is a systematic summary of families of seed plants and their more 

 important genera and species, with special reference to their agricultural, 

 forestry, technical, and medicinal uses, and with a supplement in which are 

 bi'iefly noted the more important cryptogamic useful plants. 



Cacti in New Mexico, E. O. Wooton (New Mexico Sta. Bui. 78, pp. 70, pis. 

 IS). — The results of an extended study of the cacti of New Mexico are given. 

 After describing some of the most obvious characters of the cacti, their geo- 

 graphical distribution is traced and their dependence on certain climatic and 

 other factors indicated. A considerable portion of the bulletin is devoted to a 

 discussion of the uses of cacti, and the results of attempts to grow some of the 

 so-called spinele.ss cacti in New Mexico are given. The bulletin concludes with 

 keys and descriptions of the 63 species, embraced in 5 genera, which are known 

 to occur within the area of New Mexico. 



The variation of plants under the influence of lime and magnesia, D. / 

 Waethiadi (Yeranderungen der Pflanze unter dem Einfluss von Kallc und j 

 Magnesia. Diss. K. Tech. Hochschule Miinchen, 1911, pp. VI-\-1.5.5, figs. ^9). — ' 

 By means of water and sand cultures with rye, wheat, barley, etc., the author ! 

 has sought to determine the influence of varying the lime and magnesium fac- : 

 tors on plant growth and the behavior of the principal plant organs toward 

 lime and magnesium compounds. 



The author found, as have others, that the role of lime and magnesium may 

 be beneficial or injurious to plant growth in proportion to the relative amoimts 



