AGRICULTURAL BOTANY. 521 



vital processes of the plant, and he reports experiments showing that manganese 

 has a marked effect upon the growth of Aspergillus niger, oats, and beets. Sim- 

 ilar effects have been observed in the case of aluminum, boron, iron, zinc, and 

 the like, and this is attributed by him to catalytic action. 



The use of kelp and rockweed as a fertilizer {Maritime Farmer, 16 {1911), 

 No. 11, pp. 623, 624). — This article discusses briefly the source of supply and the 

 best methods of using kelp and rockweed as a fertilizer in Newfoundland. The 

 material is considered a valuable fertilizer resource for the region. 



Value of tobacco juice residues as manure (Bol. Tec. Coltiv. Tabacchi 

 [Scafati], 9 (1910), No. 6, p. 3.'f9; abs. in Internat. Inst. Agr. [Rome], Bui. Bur. 

 Agr. Intel, and Plant Diseases, 1911, No. 1, p. 65). — Analyses are reported show- 

 ing that the pressed tobacco ex,tract examined in this case contained dry matter 

 67.5 per cent, phosphoric acid 0.24 per cent, potash 0.22 per cent, and nitrogen 

 0.96 per cent. 



Purchasing a fertilizer, R. C. Thompson (Arkmisas Sta. Circ. 11, pp. -})• — 

 This circular attempts to explain briefly "a means of telling which fertilizers 

 are the cheapest to buy," and as illustrating the importance of the matter the 

 author states that " in some instances farmers pay as high as 36 cts. a pound 

 for nitrogen in a low grade fertilizer when they could just as well buy a higher 

 grade fertilizer in which the nitrogen costs only 26 cts. ijer pound." 



Commercial fertilizers, E. Fulmer {Washington Sta. Popular Bui. 37, pp. 

 Ji). — This gives a brief summary of facts relating to the use and insi^ection of 

 fertilizers, more fully pi-esented in Bulletin 98 of the station (E. S. R., 25, 

 p. 219). 



Commercial fertilizers, W. .J. Jones. Jr., et al. (Indiana Sta. Bui. 151, pp. 

 59-163, fig. 1, map 1). — This bulletin gives the results of analyses of fertilizers 

 insi^ected in Indiana during 1910, comparing the general results with those 

 obtained in previous years. The text of the state fertilizer law is also given, 

 with notes on the requirements of the law as related to manufacturers, agents, 

 dealers, and consumers. It is estimated that 151,865 tons of fertilizer, valued 

 at $3,695,492, was sold in Indiana in 1910. 



Analyses of commercial fertilizers, M. B. Habdin et al. (South Carolina 

 Sta. Bui. 154, PP- 56). — This bulletin contains the results of analyses and valua- 

 tion? of 1,188 samples of fertilizers examined during the season of 1909-10. 



Terms used in the chemical fertilizer trade and superphosphate industry 

 {Saaten, Diinger u. Futtermarkt, 1911, No. 25, pp. 693-696). — The terms agreed 

 upon for the designation of fertilizer compounds and mixtures by the German 

 Agricultural Council and the Association of German Fertilizer Manufacturers 

 are given. 



AGRICULTURAL BOTANY. 



Translocation of plant food and elaboration of organic plant material in 

 wheat seedlings, J. A. Le Clerc and J. F. Breazeale (U. S. Dept. Agr., Bur. 

 Chem. Bui. 138, pp. 32, figs. 2). — The results of a study of wheat seedlings 

 giown for 2 weeks in water cultures, to different series of which sodium nitrate, 

 potassium sulphate, potassium chlorid, and sodium phosphate were added, are 

 given, showing the changes taking place in inorganic and organic constituents. 



The authors found that the nitrates are taken up somewhat more readily 

 than phosphates, but not nearly to the extent that potash is absorbed. There 

 is apparently a selective absorption on the part of the plants, large amounts 

 of potash being assimilated. This is brought about by the immediate require- 

 ments of the plants for a large amount of potash for the proper exercise of 

 their physiological functions. 



