SOILS FERTILIZERS. * 539 



Tlic results show Hint sli-.-nv and strawy luamiro in al)S('iic(' of nitralo of soda 

 caused a rcihictioii of yield dependent upon the eliaraeter t>\' tiie soil, being quite 

 inarlu'd on poor soils and very small on more fertile soils. The loss is generally 

 confined to the first year, except in case of poor, sandy soils. With loam soils 

 treated with nitrate of soda there is a slight increase the second and third years 

 after apjilication of straw. 



The results of several years' field experiments with fertilizers, Tacke 

 (Jdhrb. DcKl. Luiidir. c/rxr//., .^0 {I'.Ul.j), pp. 36-.'iG, pf/. /). — Various practical 

 conclusions which, however, are applicable mainly to (Jerman conditions, are 

 drawn from tlie results summarized. 



The use of fertilizers in extensive culture with reference to geological 

 formation and soil analysis, II. P.ock et al. {Jahrh. Deut. Lamlw. Gcsell., 

 .!() (1!)05), pp. .'/6'-.>.> ) . — Various general views on this subject are presented in 

 their application to (Jennan conditions. 



On the relative value of different phosphates, I). X. Prianisiimkov {Landw. 

 \rrs. Stat.. G.', (I HOG), Ko. 1-2. pp. 2S--'>-'i. pl-^. !). p<i. 1; abs. in Cliein. A&.s., 1 

 (Win). \o. J. p. 79). — In continuation of previous experiments (E. S. R., 13, 

 II. !).'U) sand culture tests were made of leached ashes, bone meal, Thomas slag, 

 lihosphorite. and siiperi)liosi)h.nte on tobacco, buckwheat, oats, barley, millet, 

 lupines, Robinia, peas, mustard, and sugar beets. The tests were designed to 

 determine not only the relative fertilizing effect of these phosphates, but also 

 the factors affecting their assimilability. 



The results show in general that the phosphoric acid of leached ashes, espe- 

 cially those of straw, is readily assimilable : the phosphoric acid of bone meal 

 showed a relatively good assimilability, the yields with this form of jihosphoric 

 acid being, as a rule, not lower than .50 to 60 per cent of those with soluble 

 Iihosphorie acid. Poorer results were obtained in presence of calcium carbonate 

 and ferric hydrate in the soil. The influence of the latter was, however, over- 

 come when ammonium salts were also applied. The tests of raw phosphates 

 indicated that their assimilability was more influenced by the character of the 

 crop than by the properties of the phosphate. In soil cultures acidity is of 

 course a determining factor. 



The .-issimilation of jihosphates is greatly modified by the presence of 

 ;inmioniiun salts, so much so that even the most insoluble phosphates are 

 rendered available to all plants. This is ascribed to the physiological acidity 

 of such salts as annnonium sulphate and ammonium clilorid. When experi- 

 ments are made with soils this action is modified by nitrification, which, for 

 examiile, ni.Mkes two free acids out of a neutral salt like ammonium sulphate. 

 The .iction is fnrthei' modified by the amount of liasic substances |)resent in 

 tile soil. 



On the stability of Thomas-phosphate-ammonium-lime, M. Sciimoeger 

 (Zl.sclir. Aiif/cir. Vhviii., 11) (l'.)iiG), Xo. J/O, p. 1G81). — This is a note on an 

 article presented at the recent meeting of the German Association of Natural- 

 ists and Physicians, in which experiments are reported showing that there is a 

 large loss of niti'ogen when this mixture is allowed to stand for some time. 



The behavior of bone and mineral superphosphate in soils and the modifi- 

 cations which they undergo, ('. Montaxari {Stuz. .s'/nr. Ai/r. Ital.. ,J!) [I'JOG], 

 \fi. '/, pp. .3.:!.i-.}.i:)). — Other investigations on this subject are reviewed and 

 experiments by the author on S soils of different kinds are rei)orted. 



Basic slag (Mark Lane I-:.ipr(!<s. !).', ( IHOi;). Xo. .I'.llL pp. 2!)'.), 300. fit/s. 2). — A 

 sunimai-y is given of information relating to tlie liistoi'y. manufacture, (pialities. 

 and \isc of this material. 



A field experiment to test the merits of phosphate, potash, and nitrogen 



