716 EXPERIMENT STATION KECORD. 



Fertilizer and acid plants, F. E. MacKnight (Xeiv York, 1909, pp. 95, figfi. 

 20). — This book deals primarily with the insurance of fertilizer and acid plants, 

 but incidentally discusses the development of the fertilizer industry and the 

 character of the principal sources of fertilizing materials. 



The action and value of stable manure, B. Schulze {Jahrh. Dcut. Landw. 

 Gcsell., 24 {1909), \o. 1, pp. 162-11.>; ubs. in ZentU. Agr. Chem., 38 (1909). 

 No. 11, pp. 7J,5-7J,9; Ccnihl. Baki. \<■U^.^. 2. Abt., 26 (1910), No. 8-9, pp. 27.'/, 

 275). — This article briefly summarizes the results of 4 years field experiments 

 at the Breslau Experimeut Station, in which stable manure was ussed alone 

 and in combination with various fertilizing materials supplying potash, phos- 

 phoric acid, and nitrogeu. 



The experiments were planned on the assumption that stable manure has 

 the greatest effect during the first year and thereafter decreases more or less 

 in efficiency, and that the action of commercial fertilizers in connection with 

 the manure will be less marked during the first year and will steadily increase 

 thereafter. The soils used in the experiments were very variable in character 

 ranging from cold heavy clay to warm light sandy soils. The crop rfitation 

 used included potatoes, sugar beets, and cereals (oats, rye, barley, and wheat). 



The smallest benefit from the manuring was obtained on heavy cold clay soil, 

 the highest on humus sandy soil. The most profitable return was obtained 

 with stable manure without mineral fertilizers, the least profit with the 

 addition of complete mineral fertilizer. The potash of the stable manure ap- 

 peared to be the constituent most readily utilized by plants. Apparently 

 about 24..3 per cent of the nitrogen of the manure was utilizetl, but the utiliza- 

 tion coetHcient varied widely, from 17.S to 40.6 per cent. The smallest 

 utilization was observed in the case of cold heavy loam soils, the highest in 

 humus sandy soils. During the first 3 years 30.2 per cent of the phosphoric 

 acid of the stable manure was utilized, the percentage utilized being especially 

 high in the case of the very light soils. The average utilization of potash was 

 39.6 per cent. In case of the heavier soils the action of the manure was modified 

 to some extent by liming, the utilization of the fertilizing constituents of the 

 manure being in all cases increased. 



Experiments on the action of stable manure on upland moors, W. Bersch 

 (Zt.schi: Moorkultur u. Torfvcnccrt., 7 (1909), No. U, pp. 255-280). — ^As a result 

 of experiments during 1908 and 1909 on slightly decomposed upland moors in 

 the raw, rainy climate of the Alps, the author concludes that commercial fer- 

 tilizers are preferable to stable manure for improving such soils. The manure 

 proved beneficial to potatoes the first year only when used in large amounts, at 

 least 13.36 tons per acre. The after effect was small. Conmiercial fertilizers 

 gave the best direct and after effect. 



The fertilizer recommended for application on potatoes the first year is at 

 least 178.5 lbs. of phosphoric acid in the form of Thomas slag, 178.5 lbs. of 

 IJotash as 40 per cent j)otasli salt, and 6().9 lbs. of nitrogen in the form of nitrate 

 of soda. If stable manure is used it is recommended that it be used at the 

 rate of about 8.9 tons per acre and supplemented with commercial fertilizers. 



In regions of abundant rainfall the best results will as a rule be obtained by 

 applying easily soluble fertilizing materials in the spring. Thomas slag may 

 also be applied at this time with good results. Moderate applications of lime 

 produced beneficial effects by favoring the decomposition of the raw moor soils 

 and also apparently promoted the decomposition of stable manure. 



Sulphate of iron as a preservative for liquid manure, A. Hasler (Dent. 

 Landw. Prcusc, 37 (1910), No. U. p. 6"2).— The use of about 1 lb. of sulphate of 

 iron to 264 gal. of liquid manure was found to be an effective means of pres- 

 ervation. 



