540 EXPEEIMENT STATION RECORD. 



on a fine sandy loam of peculiar character, E. IIersey {BuI. Biisscy lust., 3 

 (1906), pt. 5, pp. 113-11'J, diiiiis. 2). — Comparative tests of various fertilizing 

 materials ou com grown on a fine sandy loam which was well supplied with 

 capillary water are reported, showing a marked superiority of the bone over all 

 other fertilizing materials. 



The use of leucitic rocks as fertilizer, E. Monaco (<S7«,;. tipcr. Agr. Ital., 

 36 [li)03), Nu. 7, pp. 577-583; 37 {llW'i), x\o. 11-l.i. pp. 1031-103-',; 39 {1906), 

 A'o. .'i. pp. 3JfO-3J,9). — 'Studies of the amount of potash, lime, etc., dissolved by 

 water and other solvents from varioiis leucitic rocks, soils, etc., are reported. 



Process for the utilization of potash minerals, insoluble and soluble ■with 

 diflB.culty, for fertilizing purposes, C. I'lock and H. Mehneb {Jour. Soc. Vhem. 

 liiUtdi.. 25 (1906), iA'o. IS. p. 89S). — Brief reference is made to a German patent 

 of a process providing for the use of such minerals, especially " phonolith " 

 waste, in place of sand as an addition to molten Thomas slag. 



Potash salts {Mark Lane E.rprcs.'i, 95 {1906), No. 3915, pp. 383, 38J,, fi<js. 2).— 

 Information regarding the mining and use of potash salts in agriculture is 

 sunnnarized. 



The peat and marl deposits of the Rederang and Moorsee basins, U. Steus- 

 LOFF {Arch. Ver. Freunde Naturgesch. Mecklciil)., 59 {1905), 2. Aht., pp. 1.1,7-210, 

 pi. 1). — The extent and character of these deposits are described in some detail. 



Origin, composition, and utility of fertilizing materials, It. J. Davidson 

 and W. B. Ellett {Virginia f>ta. Bui. 163, pp. J,8). — This is a compilaticm of 

 information on the composition, value, and use of farm manures and fertilizers, 

 including also a discussion of home mixing and formulas for fertilizer mixtiu'es 

 for various crops. 



Analyses of commercial fertilizers and Paris green, J. E. Halligan 

 {Louisiana titas. Bui. 87, pp. 50). — This bulletin gives the results of analyses 

 of 2,508 samples of fertilizing materials and 73 samples of Paris green inspected 

 during the season of 190G. The results of the inspection of fertilizers show a 

 general tendency toward excess of phosphoric acid and deficiency of nitrogen in 

 mixed goods, as well as in tankage. The samples of cotton-seed meal examined 

 w'ere very variable in composition. The acid phosphates and bone meals as a 

 rule exceeded the guaranties. 



AGRICULTURAL BOTANY. 



The sexuality of cotton, W. L. Balls {Yearbook Khediv. Agr. Sac. Cairo, 

 1905, pp. 197-222, pl><. 9). — Investigations have been Iteguu by the author on 

 heredity in cotton. The present paper includes the history of the cotton flower 

 and the early stages of the embryo, while changes in the seed and development 

 and maturation of the fiber will be discussed in a subsequent publication. 



The cytology of the sex cells is described at considerable length, and a brief 

 account is given of the development of the cotton fiber. This begins before fer- 

 tilization is accomplished, but whether it is entirely independent of pollination 

 or not has not been definitely determined. Contrary to previous reports, the 

 development of the fiber is not from subepidermal cells of the outer integument, 

 as is usually stated, but by simple linear extension of the ejiidermal cells, the 

 cotton fiber thus being a sim])le epidermal bair. 



The mechanism of carbon assimilation in green plants, F. L. Usher and 

 J. II. Priestley (Proc. Roy. ^oc. [London], ,Ser. B, 77 {1906), No. B 518, pp. 

 369-376; 78 {1906), No. B 526, pp. 318-327).— A series of experiments has been 

 carried on to determine the nature of the first stages in the assimilation of 

 carbon from carbon dioxid by green plants. It hits been shown that carbon 



