818 EXPEKIMENT STATION EECORD. 



Chemical analysis of vegetables in relation to their fertilization, A. Maz- 

 ZARON (Bitl. R. Soc. Toscana Ort., 3. ser., 11 (1912), Nos. 1, pp. 15-20; 2, pp. 

 40-51). — The fertilizer requirements of peas, lettuce, and onions as indicated 

 by chemical analyses showing the fertilizing constituents of these vegetables 

 are discussed. 



Applied electrochemistry, M. deK. Thompson (New York, 1911, pp. XII -\- 

 329, flgs. 137; rev. in Amer. Chem,. Jour., Jf7 {1912), No. 4, pp. 357, 3oS).— The 

 chapter of this book which is of special agricultural Importance is that dealing 

 with electrical fixation of atmospheric nitrogen. 



Suggestions regarding lime nitrogen, A. Stutzer (Mitt. Dent. Lamhv. 

 Gesell, 27 (1912), No. 11, pp. 166, i67).— Experiments in which from 40 to 50 

 kg. of nitrogen per hectare, in the form of lime nitrogen, was mixed with from 

 60 to 100 kg. of iron oxid with marked benefit as regards the increase of yield 

 of oats, wheat, and rye are briefly referred to. 



A report on the natural phosphates of Tennessee, Kentucky, and Arkansas, 

 W. H. Waggaman (U. S. Dept. Agr., Bur. Soils Bui. 81, pp. 36, pis. 4, figs. 3).— 

 The phosphate deposits of Tennessee are cousidex'ed to rank next in importance 

 to those of Florida. The bulletin describes conditions in these phosphate fields, 

 outlines the modern methods of mining and handling the rock, and shows what 

 is done with the finished product and by-products of the industry. It is stated 

 that " the conditions in the Tennessee fields have changed considerably within 

 the last few years, mining methods have improved, deposits of lower-grade 

 rock are being exploited, and many of the old mines and dumps are being re- 

 worked." 



The Tennessee deposits " occur in what is known as the Central Basin of 

 Tennessee (elevation, 600 ft.) and in the valleys of the western part of the 

 Highland Rim (elevation, 1,000 ft.) surrounding this basin. The Central Basin 

 . . . covers an area of approximately 7,000 square miles of gently un- 

 dulating country. The phosphate deposits have been developed only in the 

 western part of this area, workable beds lying in parts of Sumner, Davidson, 

 Williamson, Lewis, Maury, Hickman, and Giles counties. . . . 



" There are 3 economically important classes of phosphate rock in Ten- 

 nessee, namely, the brown phosphate, or Ordovician rock, which is divided by 

 Hayes and Ulrich into several groups; the blue, or Devonian phosphate, of 

 which there are several classes, and the white rock deposited from solution in 

 caverns. The nodular and conglomerate phosphates, though widely distributed, 

 are not found in sufficient quantities to be profitably mined by themselves." 

 These classes are discussed separately and in detail in the bulletin. 



" The [Kentucky] phosphate area so far examined lies in Woodford, Fayette, 

 Scott, and Jessamine counties, but the most thoroughly prospected properties 

 lie in Woodford County, in the vicinity of the little town of Midway. . , . 

 The phosphate occurs in the Ordovician ('Lower Silurian') system, at the top 

 of the geologic formation known as the Lexington limestone. . . . Up to the 

 spring of 1911 work on the Kentucky phosphate area had been confined to 

 prospecting. A small plant is now in course of construction, which will start 

 operations this year and will probably accelerate greatly the development of 

 the area. . . . 



" The phosphate deposits of Arkansas are not generally regarded as of great 

 economic importance. Compared with the product of the Tennessee and 

 Florida fields the rock is rather low grade. The deposits are well situated to 

 supply the growing demand for fertilizers west of the Mississippi River, and, 

 though much of the material is too low in phosphoric acid and too high in iron 

 to make it desirable for the manufacture of superphosphate, the increasing 

 consumption of ground rock phosphate for agricultural purposes will no doubt 



