624 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Utilization of sewage sludge for the production of illuminating gas and 

 sulphate of ammonia {Abs. in Engrais, 26 (WJl), No. J,2, p. 1165; Internat. 

 Imt. Agr. [Rome], Bui. Bur. Agr. Intel, and Plant Diseases, 2 (1911), No. 11-12, 

 pp. 2J/81, 2Ji82). — A process in use at Briinn, Moravia, iu which sludge is sub- 

 jected to dry distillation with the production of illuminating gas, coke, and 

 sulphate of ammonia is described in this article. 



It is stated that 100 kg. of dry sludge is capable of producing 23 cubic meters 

 of good illuminating gas, 63 kg. of coke, and 0.75 kg. of ammonium sulphate. 

 It is believed that the use of this process is profitable and will go a long way 

 toward the solution of the sewage sludge problem. 



Annual report on fertilizers, B. B. Ross (Bui. Agr. Dept. Ala., 1911, No. JfS, 

 pp. 152). — Analyses and valuations of fertilizers inspected in Alabama during 

 the year ended July 31, 1911, are reported and discussed. 



Fertilizers, R. E. Rose and L. Heimr:trgeb ( Fla. Quart. Bui. Dept. Agr., 22 

 (1912), No. 1, pp. 4, 5, 7-12, 23-3S, 31, 38, J,S-71).—An account is given of the 

 fertilizer inspection during 1911, including analyses of fertilizers examined, 

 with notes on laws and regulations and valuation of fertilizers. 



Commercial fertilizers and chemicals, T. G. Hudson, R. E. Stallings, et at.. 

 (Bui. Ga. Dept. Agr. 1911, No. 54, pp. 264). — This bulletin gives the state laws 

 affecting the manufacture and sale of fertilizers in Georgia, including the law 

 approved August 22, 1911, as well as the regulations prescribed by the com- 

 missioner of agriculture under the laws, fertilizer formulas for the principal 

 crops grown in the State, and analyses and valuations of 5,610 samples of 

 commercial fertilizers inspected during the season 1910-11. 



Inspection of fertilizers for 1911, B. E. Curey and T. O. Smith (New Hamp- 

 shire Sta. Bui. 155, pp. 3-9). — Actual and guarantied analyses of 113 samples 

 of fertilizers examined during the year are reported. It is stated that " the 

 fertilizers in general met their guaranty." The effort of manufacturers to 

 induce their patrons to use the better grades of fertilizers is commended. 



AGRICULTURAL BOTANY. 



Absorption and excretion of salts by roots, as influenced by concentration 

 and composition of culture solutions, I. — Concentration relations of dilute 

 solutions of sodium and magnesium nitrates to pea roots, R. H. True and 

 H. H. Baetlett ( U. S. Dept. Agr., Bur. Plant Indus. Bui. 231, pp. 36, pi. 1, figs. 

 21 ) . — This bulletin reports the results of a series of experiments with field peas 

 grown in solutions of calcium and magnesium nitrates in various dilutions. 



The authors found "(1) that there is a definite concentration for each salt 

 or mixture of salts at which the roots of peas absorb and excrete electrolytes 

 at the same rate; (2) that if a culture solution is initially less concentrated 

 than this equilibrium concentration, excretion from the roots overbalance ab- 

 sorption ; (3) that if a solution is initially more concentrated than this equi- 

 librium, absorption overbalances excretion; (4) that absorption from solutions 

 initially above equilibrium concentration may carry them far below this con- 

 centration; (5) that the extent to which pea roots can carry the concentration 

 of a solution below equilibrium concentration depends upon the ratio of mag- 

 nesium to calcium; (6) that the molecular ratio which favors maximum ab- 

 sorption is 1: 1; (7) that the ratio of magnesium to calcium which insures good 

 development of pea roots is 9 : 1, if the solutions are so concentrated that their 

 magnesium content alone would inhibit the development of lateral roots ; but 

 (8) that this ratio is nearer 99 : 1 if the solutions are so dilute that the magne- 

 sium content alone would not inhibit the development of lateral roots." 



