SOILS — FERTILIZERS. 125 



Phosphatic fertilizers, A. Gr^goire (Rev. Econ. Intemat., 11 {1914), I, No. 2, 

 pp. S59-316). — The history and present status of the use of phosphatic ferti- 

 lizers are briefly reviewed. 



Action of ammonium citrate on mono, di, and tricalcium phosphates, T. 

 Warynski and J. Langel {Ann. Chim. Analyt., 19 {1914), So. 1, pp. 1-6; ahs. 

 in Jour. Soc. Chem. Indus., 33 {1914), No. 3, p. 153).— It was found that all 

 throe phosphates are soluble to an appreciable extent in ammonium citrate solu- 

 tion, and so can not be accurately separated by the use of this solvent. Solu- 

 tion was found to be complete in about an hour. The greatest differences in 

 solubility of the phosphates were observed when extraction was made in the 

 cold and the citrate solution was saturated. 



Superphosphate vinasse, a new fertilizer, PI. Stoltzenberg {Chem. Ztg., 38 

 {1914), No. 8, pp. 81, 82; abs. in Jour. Soc. Chem. Indus., 33 {1914), No. 3, p. 

 153; Chem. Zentbl., 1914, I, No. 12, p. 1213). — Vinasse is considered a valuable 

 fertilizer on account of its high nitrogen and potash content, but it was found 

 that the residue from the evaporation of beet pulp is too hygroscopic on account 

 of the presence of bases, such as betain, for use as a solid manure. When 

 2.5 parts of the pulp was used with 3 parts of the superphosphate a friable 

 mass was obtained which could be kept for months without change. This mate- 

 rial contained 2.25 per cent of nitrogen, G.33 of potash, 11.53 of citrate-solubh; 

 phosphoric acid, and 8.4S per cent of water-solui)le phosphoric acid. One-half 

 of the material was soluble in water and 30 per cent of it consisted of unaltered 

 organic matter. 



Potash salts: Summary for 1912, W. C. Phalen {U. S. Geol. Survey, 

 Mineral Resources of the United States, 1912, pt. 2, pp. 877-908). — ^A brief 

 account is given of progress in investigations during 1912 by the U. S. Geological 

 Survey and the Bureau of Soils of the U. S. Department of Agriculture with 

 regard to the discovery of new sources of potash in the United States. 



A bibliography of recent papers on the subject is appended. 



Lime, R. W. Stone {U. S. Geol. Surrei/, Mineral Resources of the United 

 States, 1912, pt. 2, pp. 651-668). — Statistics of production and consumption of 

 lime and data regarding the occurrence of limestone in the United States are 

 summarized in this article. The total production in 1912 was 3,529,462 tons, an 

 increase of 13G,547 tons over that produced in 1911. There was a marked decline 

 in price of lime and a decrease in the number of producers during the year. 



A bibliography of recent papers on the subject is appended. 



Gypsum, E. W. Stone {U. S. Geol. Survcij, Mineral Resources of the United 

 States, 1912, pt. 2, pp. 637-649). — Statistics of production and consumption in 

 the United States and other countries are summarized. The total production 

 in the United States in 1912 was 2,500,757 tons, an increase of 176,787 tons over 

 the amount mined in 1911. Of this 53,065 tons was sold for use as land plaster. 



A bibliography of recent papers on the subject is appended. 



The composition and agricultural value of carbonate of lime from caus- 

 ticizing plant, J. Hendrick {Jour. Soe. Chem. Indus., 33 {1914), No. 3, pp. 

 122-126). — This is a full account of analyses and field experiments which have 

 already been noted (E. S. R., 30, p. 127). 



Liming Iowa soils, P. E. Brown {Iowa Sta. Ctrc. 2, 2. ed. {1913), pp. 3-S, 

 pi. 1). — This is a popular discussion of the subject. 



The action of sulphur on the bacterial activities of the soil, J. Vogel 

 {Centbl. Bakt. letc.^, 2. AM., 40 {1914), No. 1-8, pp. 60-83; aU. in Chem. 

 Zentbl., 1914, I, No. 12, p. 1212). — Experiments are reported which indicate 

 quite positively a decided effect of sulphur in promoting various bacterial 

 activities in the soil, such as ammonification, nitrification, and nitrogen fixation. 



