AGRICULTURAL BOTANY. 729 



preventing nitrates from being rornied from other compounds containing 

 nitrogen, in the manure." 



In the Antigua experiments the application of 400 gal. of molasses per acre 

 increased the yield of cane 1.2 tons per acre. The application of 200 gal. of 

 molasses per acre did not increase the yield. 



The agricultural utilization of certain waste products, T. Gbiffet (Jour. 

 Agr, J'nit., n. scr., 22 (lb 11), No. 33, pp. 200-202; Engrais, 26 (1911), No. 3.',, 

 pp. 9.'i3-9.'i5) . — This article gives the principal fertilizing constituents and dis- 

 cusses the price of various animal and vegetable waste products such as meat, 

 bones, hair, v^'ool, poultry manure, poudrette, peanut oil cake, silkworm 

 chrysalids, sardine waste, tobacco waste and ash, calcium carbid waste, and 

 wastes from wine, sugar, and oil making. 



Commercial fertilizers, M. A. Scovell and H. E. Curtis (Kentucky Sta. Bui. 

 152, pp. 1'J3-322). — This bulletin reports the analyses and valuations of 555 

 brands of fertilizers inspected by the station during the year 1910. 



Fertilizer inspection (Maine Sta. Off. Insp. 33, pp. 77-108). — This circular 

 reports the analyses of samples of fertilizers found on sale in Maine in 1911 

 with notes on the reriuirements of the state law and the nature and use of 

 fertilizers. 



AGRICULTURAL BOTANY. 



Studies on fruit respiration, H. C. Gore ( U. S. Dept. Agr., Bur. Chem. Bui. 

 142, pp. JfO, flga. 3, (Igins. IJ,). — This bulletin gives the results of experiments 

 on the effect of temperature on the respiration of fruits, the effect of picking on 

 the rate of evolution of carbon dioxid by peaches, and the rate of accumulation 

 of heat in the respiration of fruits under adiabatic conditions. An absori^tion 

 apparatus and a constant temperature incubator suitable for use in the study 

 of the respiration of fruits ax-e described. 



Measurements are given of the rate of respiration at different temperatures 

 of many fruits, such as berries, peaches, apples, grapes, etc. The respiration 

 intensity of these fruits varied greatly, but when the data were platted simi- 

 larly shaped curves were formed. 



No correlation between composition or size and respiratory activity appeared. 

 In general. Iiowever. fruits which grow and mature quickly and soon become 

 overripe respire rapidly. This is true of most small fruits. On the other hand, 

 fruits with a long growing period and maturing slowly, such as the citrus 

 fruits, are very inactive physiologically. Peaches, plums, apples, pears, and 

 grapes are intermediate in this resiiecf. 



The rate of respiration was found to increase from 1.89 to 3.01 times, an 

 average of 2.376 times for each 10° rise in temperature for 49 sets of determina- 

 tions with 40 different kinds of fruits. No .stimulus in the rate of respiration 

 due to picking was detected. 



On the respiration of different floral organs, Mme. G. Maige (Ann. Hci. Nat. 

 Bat., 9. aer., 14 (1911). No. 1-3. pp. 1-62).— The results are given of experi- 

 ments with a large'number of plants on the respiration of the sepals, petals, 

 stamens, and pistils compared with each other and with the leaves, and of 

 variations in the respiration due to the age of the floral whorls. 



It was found in general that the intensity of the respiration in the floral 

 organs is greater than that of the leaf. Of the floral organs the pistil respires 

 the most actively. In the case of the stamens, the anthers present a respiratory 

 iatensity greater than the filament, which itself give? off more carbon dioxid 

 than the leaves. The calyx was found to possess an active respiration con- 

 siderably greater than that of the corolla, which equals or is less than that of 

 the essential organs. 



