126 



EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Tlie occurrence of extensive beds of high-grade phosphate is indicated by the 

 investigations made near Melrose, Mont. These beds are in a reserve of 33,950 

 acres withdrawn from public entry January 12, 1911, and are probably a 

 continuation of the Idaho deposits. 



The reconnaissance survey in western Wyoming indicated the occurrence 

 of large and widely distributed deposits of phosphate, probably in continuation 

 of those of Idaho. 



Thomas meal, D. J. Hissink and G. B. Van Kampen (Cnltura, 23 (1911), 

 No. 278, vp. Jt93-501). — The authors found a sample of Thomas meal which 

 contained only 8.9 per cent of phosphoric acid, of which 13.5 per cent was 

 soluble in citi-ic solution. A fluoriu content of 0.3 per cent was found and 

 inquiry revealed the fact that calcium fluorid was used in the process of manu- 

 facture of the steel products. 



[Experiments with manganese sulphate on tobacco], F. Mach {Ber. 

 Grossh. Bad. Lanclw. Vers. Anst. Augustenb., 1910, pp. 51-55). — Manganese 

 sulphate was applied to tobacco in combination with other fertilizing materials 

 at rates of 0.6 and 1.2 gm. to 22 kg. of soil in pots and at rates of 45 and 90 

 gm. to plats 5.33 square meters in size. Contrary to the observations of various 

 other investigators, no effect from the application of the manganese was 

 observed in either the pot or plat experiments. 



The composition of seaweed and its use as manure (Bd. Agr. and Fisheries 

 [London], Leaflet 254, pp. 8). — This is a brief, popular compilation of informa- 

 tion on this subject. 



Utilization of kelp, T. H. Norton (Daily Cons, and Trade Rpts. [U. 8.], 

 l-'t (1911), No. 272, p. 899). — It is stated that "the utilization of kelp as a 

 source of iodin and potash salts continues to be a prominent industry on the 

 shores of Norway." There are 9 establishments engaged in the industry. 

 Besides supplying the home demand, these establishments exporte<l, during 

 1910, 2,318 metric tons of kelp ash, valued at $04,000. " Less is done in 

 Norway than in Scotland to extract in a commercial form potash salts from 

 this ash, although all of the kelp works furnish potash fertilizers." 



Analyses of Crotalaria (8ta. Agron. Mauritius Bui. 25, 1911, pp. 72-75). — 

 Detailed analyses of ash constituents of Crotalaria retusa are reported. Water 

 varied from 77.5 to 82.8 per cent, ash from 1.34 to 1.93. nitrogen from 0.32 to 

 0.44, phosphoric acid from 0.069 to 0.089, potash from 0.193 to 0.407, and lime 

 from 0.386 to 0.530 per cent. 



The fertilizing valvie of sisal waste, V. Lommel (Pflanzcr, 7 (1911), No. 9, 

 pp. 531-534). — ^Analyses of the dried juice and waste of sisal hemp plants 

 gathered before blooming and during the blooming stage are reported as 

 follows : 



Fertilizing constituents in sisal toaste. 



Notwithstanding the loss of nitrogen involved in burning the material, the 

 author is of the opinion that incineration of the dry waste and application of 

 the ashes to the soil is the simplest and cheapest method of utilizing it. 



