124 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



pot experiments with different potasLi salts on barley and rice the following 

 conclusions are drawn : 



(1.) While the chlorid hastened the flowering process and increased grain 

 production, the increase being highest in the case of barley, it reduced to a like 

 extent the yield of the rice; (2) the fertilizing value of the silicate was highest 

 in several cases, and this material may be considered a favorable potash fer- 

 tilizer for the Graminea^; (3) while the chlorid acted very favorably in the 

 production of grain, the sulphate was more favorable to the production of straw, 

 in accord with Sebelien's former observations; (4) carbonate was inferior to 

 sulphate in all cases when it was applied with secondary sodium phosphate, a 

 physiologically alkaline manure. 



On the effect of vai-ious potassic manures on the growth of Colocasia 

 antiquorum, S. Namikawa (Bui. Col. Agr., Tokyo Imp. Univ., 7 {li)U6), No. 1. 

 pp. 73, 7-'f). — In plat experiments it was observed that kainit and 40 per cent 

 potash salt were about equally effective, considerably more so than wood ashes. 



On the fertilizing value of steamed Thomas slag, O. Bottcher {Deiit. 

 Lanclw. Presse, 33 {1906), Xo. 27, i^P- ■231. 2.32).— Comparative pot and field 

 tests of superphosphate and Thomas slag which had been disintegrated by sub- 

 jecting it to steam under pressure and ground in the usual way are reported. 

 The pot experiments were made with oats, the field experiments with a mixture 

 of oats, barley, peas, and vetch and on meadow grasses. The results indicate in 

 general that the steamed slag is slightly less effective than the groinid. 



On the factors which influence the fertilizing action of difficultly soluble 

 phosphates, D. N. Prianishnikov (Abs. in Chem. Zfg., 30 {1906), No. 37, p. 

 Ji38). — This is an abstract of a paper presented at the Sixth International Con- 

 gress of Applied Chemistry at Rome, 1906. The paper discusses this subject 

 from 4 standpoints, (1) the properties of the phosphates themselves, (2) the 

 individuality of the plants on which they are u^ed, (3) the properties of the soil, 

 and (4) the chai'acter of the associated fertilizers. Particular attention is given 

 to the fourth point, which has been discussed in previous articles by the author 

 (E. S. R., 17, p. .538). 



Thomas-ammonium-phosphate lime, a new mineral fertilizer, E. Hasel- 

 HOFF {Fiihling's Lanilw. Ztg., 5.5 {1906), No. 8, pp. 257-26^). — This material 

 (see also B. S. R., 17, p. 049) is shown to rapidly undergo decomposition with 

 loss of nitrogen. 



Thomas-ammonium-phosphate lime, Kettler {Dent. Zuckerindus.,31 {1906), 

 p. 390; abs. in Chem. Ztg., 30 {1906), No. 24, Repert. No. 7. p. 55).— This mate- 

 rial, which is described as an intimate mixture of Thomas slag, aunnonium sul- 

 phate, and lime residue from sugar factories is highly recommended. 



A contribution to the bibliography of the use of sulphate of iron in agri- 

 culture, II. E. IIoRTON (Cliicago. III., 19(i6, pp. 69). — This is a biliograiihy of 4.52 

 references, beginning with the work of Thaer in Germany in 1S09 and continu- 

 ing to 1905. 



The limestone and lime industry of West Virginia, G. P. Grimsley {W. Va. 

 Gcol. Purvey [Pub.], 3 {1905), pp. 312-J,22, pis. 11, figs. 6).— This report con- 

 tains chapters on distribution and properties of lime in minerals and rocks, the 

 limestones of West Virginia, technology of lime manufacture, and the uses of 

 limestone and lime. 



Commercial fertilizers, .J. L. Hills and C. H. Jones {Vermont Sta. Bill. 123, 

 pp. 137-20 Jf). — This bulletin reports the results of analyses of 1.30 brands of 

 fertilizers, the output of 12 companies, collected during the spring of 1906, 

 compai'es the results obtained with those of 4 jirevious years, and discusses 

 celling price, valuation, and purchase of fertilizers, and the moisture relations 

 of soils. 



A 



