AGRICULTURAL BOTANY. 323 



moisture than in smaller pots. Better results were obtained by watering from 

 above rather than from below and by late rather than early seeding. 



On the sale of Martin slag' containing' fluorin for Thomas slag, O. Lem- 

 MERMANN (lUus. Laiulw. Ztf/., 30 {1910), No. 91, p. 847).— It is stated that 

 Martin slag containing 6.31 per cent of phosphoric acid, of which 1.38 per cent 

 was soluble in citric acid solution, and an appreciable amount of fluorin, was 

 found to be on sale as a substitute for Thomas slag. 



A few notes on lime for agricultural purposes, B. E. Curry (New Hamp- 

 shire Sta. Circ. 13, pp. 4). — This circular describes different forms of lime and 

 discusses their relative value for fertilizing purposes, especially under New 

 Hampshii-e conditions. 



The valuation of lime marl, Gerl.\ch {Dent. Landw. Presse, 38 (1911), 

 No. 35, p. 409). — Results of pot experiments confirmed the conclusions of 

 Baesslor that the solubility of calcium carbonate in lime marls depends upon 

 the percentage of c.ilcium carbonate and the degree of fineness of the crude 

 product. For practical purposes it is recommended that the marl be of such 

 fineness as to allow 90 per cent of it to pass through a i mm. sieve. 



Fertilizer inspection {Maine Sta. Off. Insp. 29, pp. 36). — This reports the 

 results of analyses of fertilizers inspected in Maine during 1910, with explana- 

 tions regarding the analysis and valuation of fertilizers and comments upon 

 the results of inspe<-tion. 



Analyses of fertilizers, spring season, 1911, B. W. Kilgore et al. {Bui. 

 N. C. Dept. Ag}-., 32 {1911), Nos. 3, pp. 84; 4, pp. 93).— Analyses and valuations 

 of fertilizers collected in North Carolina during the spring of 1911 are given, 

 with a list of manufacturers and brands licensed for sale in the State for the 

 season of 1910-11, explanations of terms, and freight rates from the seacoast 

 to inland points. 



Analyses of licensed commercial fertilizers, 1911, F. W. Woll {Wisconsin 

 Sta. Circ. Inform. 25. pp. 12). — This circular gives a list of commercial ferti- 

 lizers licensed for sale in the State during the year, with guaranties of com- 

 position and results of analyses of samples furnished by the manufacturers 

 and collected by agents of the station. Brief explanations are also given of 

 the terms used in stating analyses and valuation of fertilizers. 



List of fertilizer manufacturers and importers {Pcnn. Dept. Agr. Bui. 205, 

 pp. 37). — This list gives not only names and addresses of the manufacturers 

 and importers, but names of the " brands of their fertilizers for which license 

 to sell in Pennsylvania during 1911 was taken out prior to February 21, 1911." 



actEicultural botany. 



Protective enzyms, M. T. Cook et al. (Science, n. ser., S3 (1911), No. 851, 

 pp. 624-629). — This is a preliminary report of studies made by the authors 

 which show the important relations and reactions carried out by certain pro- 

 tective enzyms of fruits. The work originated in experiments begun to deter- 

 mine the toxicity of tannin. Most of the experiments were carried on with 

 pomaceous fruits, although those of the tomato and other plants were used. 



The authors, summarizing their investigations, state " that there exists in 

 the normal living fruit two enzyms, a catalase and an oxidase. The latter is 

 probably most abundant in the early part of the season, gradually decreasing 

 in activity as the fruit appi'oaches maturity and ripens. Furthermore, from the 

 above results it appears that tannin as such does not exist in any part of the 

 7iormal, uninjured fruit pi'evious to maturity, except possibly a small amount 

 in the peel, but exists as a poly-atomic phenol, which upon injury is acted upon 



4496°— No. 4—11 3 



