SOILS FERTILIZERS. 125 



Factors influencing" the phosphate content of soils, A. R. Whitson and C. W. 

 Stoddart (Wisconsin Sta. Research Bui. 2, pp. 4I-6O). — This contains two arti- 

 cles which have been noted from other sources ( E. S. R., 20, p. 1114 ; 21, p. 218 ) . 



Fertilizers for Wisconsin farms, F. W. Woll* ( Wisconsin Sta. Bui. 180, pp. 

 3--i6). — This bulletin calls attention to the increasing need of fertilizers in 

 Wisconsin and discusses methods of conserving soil fertility, the care of stable 

 manure, and the purchase and use of commercial fertilizers. A report is also 

 given of the results of inspection during. 1909 of 31 brands of licensed fertilizers 

 prepared by 11 manufacturers. 



On the value of barnyard manure in agriculture, O. Vibbans (Bl. Zucker- 

 riibcnbau, 16 {1909), Nos. 7, pp. 106-110; 8, pp. 12.^-127; 9, pp. 131-13',).— A. 

 general discussion. 



The fertilizing value of pigeon manure, A. Lolli (Staz. Sper. Agr. Ital., 42 

 (1909), No. J,-6, pp. 356-360; ahs. in Chcm. Zcntbl., 1909, II. No: 10, pp. 856, 

 857). — The author discusses the value of commercial pigeon manure on the 

 basis of its content of phosphoric acid (1.7 per cent), potash (0.15 per cent), 

 and nitrogen (3.97 per cent), with moisture 7.8 per cent. The results of counts 

 of seeds in the manure are also given. 



Top-dressing sugar beets with liquid manure, A. Kausek (Mitt. Deut. 

 Lancltv. GeselL, 2.', (1909), No. 32, pp. 502-507).— Good results with liquid 

 manure as compared "ith nitrate of soda are reported. The author advises 

 keeping the manure heap moist and collecting and applying the liquid manure 

 separately. 



Top-dressing of the sugar beet with liquid manure, A. Kuhnert (Mitt. Deut. 

 Landw. Gesell., 24 (1909), No-. 36, pp. 5^9, 550).— The results of the experiments 

 here reported confirm those of Kausek noted above. 



The water capacity of peat litter and its determination, B. Tacke and H. 

 MiNssEN (Ztschr. Moorkultiir 11. Torfvericert.. 7 (1909), No. 3, pp. 141-149).— 

 In the experiments reported in this article it was found that drying decreased 

 the absorptive capacity of peat litter and that the coarser the air-dry material 

 the less the absorption. The method used in making the tests of absorptive 

 power is described. 



The nitrogen problem in crop production, E. J. Russell (Jour. Roy. Agr. 

 Soc. England, 69 (1908), pp. 104-114)- — This article is based mainly upon 

 investigations made at Rothamsted and discusses the sources of nitrogen avail- 

 able to the farmer, including nitrogen compounds in the soil, purchased 

 manures, purchased feeding stuffs, nitrogen fixed by bacteria alone and in symbi- 

 osis with leguminous plants, and losses of nitrogen on the farm due to drainage 

 and to bacterial action. The value of a rotation adapted to the maintenance of 

 the nitrogen supply is pointed out. 



Manufacture of air nitrate fertilizers, H. Bordewich and W. H. H. Webster 

 (U. S. Dept. Com. and Labor, Bur. Manfr., 1909, pp. 16, figs. 2). — This report 

 briefly discusses the fertilizer trade of the United States, the nitrate fertilizer 

 factories in Norway, and the cyanamid industry in Canada. 



It is stated that " the imports of materials largely used in the manufacture 

 of fertilizers, and of fertilizers not included under other names, amounted to 

 $12,205,710 in 1907 and $11,968,537 in 1908. Sulphate of ammonia to the value 

 of $1,847,772 and nitrate of ammonia to the value of $425,573 were also im- 

 ported in 1908. A small part of the nitrate and from one- half to two-thirds of 

 the sulphate were employed in making fertilizer. The extent to which the 

 Chilean nitrate fields are drawn upon by the United States is shown by thet 

 imports, which increased from $8,855,753 in 1904 to $13,595,458 in 1907 and 

 $12^277,464 in 1908. That the value of nitrates imported from Chile is perhaps 

 imderestimated is shown by the annual reports of United States Consul Alfred 



