SOILS — i'M;iri'ii;izERS. 921 



'I'hoinas slnt,'. Stc-init'd 'I'linmas sl:ii,' w.-is less cITci-i i \(' lli;iu ordinarN'. and Iri- 

 calciuiii and I'lorida plidspliatcs were aliiKist willmul clTccl. 'I'lu; larj^est 

 aiiKUiut of phosphoi'ic acid was assimilated by the plant in (lie c-ase of the 

 suiii'rpli()S])hnto. followed in ordei' l'>\- the pi-eeijiitated ]di(ispliale and Wolter's 

 pli()si)liato. 



Treatment of double phosphates of iron and aluminium in order to render 

 the combined phosi^horic acid soluble in ammonium citrate, I'li.ox kt al. 

 {French Patent 36S,')21, Jiili/ 30, J!K)(J; ahs. in Jour. Koc. VJicnt. I)iili(.s., 2o 

 ( 1906), .A'o. 2'i. p. 1227). — A method of roasting such phosphates to increase their 

 sohiliility in ainnionimn citrate is described. 



Artificial fertilizers: Their nature and function, A. D. Halt, (Jour. Hoc. 

 Arts, 55 {1906), Nos. 2828, pp. ISS-l.'iO; 282 J,, pp. lJ,8-15Jr, 2825, pp. 178-186; 

 2826, pp. 205-21^; 2827, pp. 232-239, fu;. l).—'rhe)ie articles constitute the Cantor 

 lectures delivered before the Society of Arts in November, 190G, and discuss the 

 ;reneral theory of th(> nutrition of i)]ants, the sources and functions of nitrogen, 

 pliosphoric acid, and jMitasli in fei'tili/.ei-s. and the importance of further investi- 

 gation relating to the use of fertilizers. It is maintained that, while ordinary 

 soils contain comparatively enormous (juantities of nitrogen, pliosphoric acid, 

 and potash, they freiiuently do not contain these constituents in suthcieut amount 

 or available form for i)rofital)le crop production. 



"A complete theory of. manuring will always have two points of view, one 

 special to the crop, the other to the soil ; on good all-around soils, fertile loams 

 and tlie like, the composition of the fertilizer employed will be dictated by the 

 nature of the crop ; on the more specialized soils, as on the pure sands, heavy 

 clays or peats, it will depend primarily upon the soil." 



In the discussion of the supply of nitrogen particular attention is given to 

 recent progress in fixation of atmospheric nitrogen by micro-organisms in the 

 soil and by electrical processes. It is pointed out that Great Britain is the most 

 intensively farmed country in the world. It produces the largest crops per 

 acre, but is obliged to spend the most to obtain them. This fact is made the 

 basis of a plea for greater su])iK)rt for such investigations as are being carried 

 on at liothanisted relative to the increase of agricultural production. 



The home mixing of fertilizers, F. Bonstekl (Fannint/, 3 (1907), No. 1, 

 l>p. 22, 23', figs. 2). — The advantages and disadvantages of this practice are 

 liriefly set forth. The e(|uipment required and the methods of selecting and 

 combining the fertilizer ingi'edients are described, and. the special fertilizer 

 i'e(|uireinents of a few crojis are explained. 



Protecting the farmer against fraud, J. V. Street {Amer, Mo. Rev. of 

 Rerieirs, 3') (1907), Ao. 205, pp. 213-216). — The extent, methods, and advantages 

 <if inspection of fertilizers, feeding stuffs, and other agricultural materials in 

 the I'nited States are briefly reviewed. 



To manure at a profit (Mark Lane Express, 96 (1907), Ao. 3930, pp. 

 52-56). — The sources of plant food available to the British farmer, the best 

 means of determining the fertilizer requirements of the soil in a practical wa.v, 

 and the most profitable methods of using fertilizers are discussed. 



Analyses of fertilizers, C. A. Goessmann (Masxachit^etts 8ta. Bui. 113, pp. 

 SO). — Analyses of commercial fertilizers collected in the course of regular 

 inspection and of miscellaneous fertilizing materials sent to the station for 

 examination are reported. 



Report of analyses of samples of fertilizers collected by the commissioner 

 of agriculture during 1906 (Xrir York Stale Sta. lint. 285, pp. 81). — "There 

 are presented in this bulletin the analyses of samples of fertilizers collected by 

 the commissioner of agriculture during 190G and transmitted by him for 



