528 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Denmark is increasing in England, but that the niainire prodnced, although 

 cheaper than straw made manure, is considered less valuable by market 

 gardeners. In experiments at the Kew Botanical Gardens it was found that 

 fresh peat litter manure was decidedly injurious to flowering plants. An 

 analysis of a sample of this manure by J. A. Voelcker indicated nothing unusual 

 in its composition except a somewhat high percentage of organic acids, and its 

 injurious effect is attributed to this acid condition. 



Experiments on the agricultural utilization of vinasse from sugar beet 

 distilleries, Pelissier and Le Couppey de la Forest (Ann. Dir. Ilydraul. et 

 Anu'lior. Agr., Min. Agr. [France^, 1908, No. 3S, irp. 274-30J,, ?)7.s. J,, figs. 4).— 

 This article rejiorts the results of practical experience in the use of this 

 vinasse in irrigation for sugar beets and also of experiments to determine the 

 most efficient means of utilizing the material. It is strongly recommended that 

 the material should be used for irrigation wherever this is feasible, although 

 purification by means of artificial filter beds is an efficient means of disposal 

 where utilization for irrigation is not possible. 



Studies on the waste waters of starch factories, A. C. Girard (Atm. Dir. 

 Hydraul. et Amelior. Agr., Min. Agr. [France], 1908, No. 38, pp. 2-'i5-273, fig. 

 t). — It is shown that there is much loss of fertilizing matter in the waste 

 waters from starch factories in France, although the waters are very dilute, 

 containing as a rule something over 99 per cent of water. The dried residue, 

 however, contains 6.56 per cent of nitrogen, 2.78 per cent of phosphoric acid, 

 and 13.64 per cent of ix)tash, with 2.11 iier cent of lime. The agricultural use 

 of the wastes is considered highly desirable, but with such dilute solutions as 

 are now produced is not practicable except for small factories. 



A method of extracting the juice of the potatoes by means of presses before 

 washing for the preparation of starch is recommended, and it is believed that 

 this will furnish a concentrated extract which can be profitably handled as a 

 fertilizer. Analysis of a juice obtained in this way showed dry matter 5.03 

 per cent, nitrogen 0.35 per cent, phosphoric acid 0.12 per cent, potash 0.65 per 

 cent, and lime 0.01 iier cent. It is estimated that by this method 1,000 lbs. of 

 potatoes may be made to yield as a by-product fertilizing material worth 58 

 cents. 



Cassia hirsuta as a green dressing', R. D. Anstead (Planters'' Chron., 6 

 (1911), No. 52, pp. 801, 802). — The use of this plant with good results as a 

 green manure for coffee is reiwrted. An analysis is given showing in the air- 

 dried plant (leaves and stems) 9.6 per cent of water, about 2.3 per cent of 

 nitrogen, 0.31 per cent of phosphoric acid, 1.07 i>er cent of iK)tash, and 1.82 per 

 cent of lime. 



AGRICULTURAL BOTANY. 



Plant life and evolution, D. H. Campbell (Neic York, 1911, pp. ir+360, 

 figs. 22). — The author considers life and its origin, heredity, environment, selec- 

 tion, etc., as factors in evolution. The origin of the lower plants, land plants, 

 and seed plants is traced, after which chapters are devoted to environment and 

 adaptation, plant distribution, the human factor in evolution, and. the origin 

 of species. 



It is claimed that no one of the theories that have been advanced can fully 

 explain evolution in the plant kingdom. The author thinks there is nothing 

 to support the view of a si>ecial germ plasm directly associated with the trans- 

 mission of hereditary characters. The view that the laws of heredity are 

 exclusively physiological is believed to be an extreme one, nor does it. seem 

 necessary to assume the presence of an infinity of morphological units. The 



