126 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



The so-called " catalytic action " of manganese and boron compounds on 

 the cultivation of the sugar beet, H. Pellet (Bui. Assoc. Chim. Sucr. et 

 Distill., 31 {1913), No. 6, pp. 419-424; ahs. in Jour. Soc. Chem. Indus., 33 (1914), 

 No. 3, p. 153; Chem. ZentU., 1914, I, ^o. 8, p. 807; Chem. Ztg., 38 {1914), No. 11, 

 Report., p. ^7). — ^Experiments at the Rovigo Experiment Station in Italy are 

 referred to as showing that manganese and boi'on compounds, both singly and 

 in combination with aluminum compounds, had no effect on the growth or 

 yield of the sugar beet or on the purity of its juice. The reliability of results 

 of other experiments indicating favorable effects from the use of these com- 

 pounds is questioned. 



The fertilizer inspection for 1913, B. E. Cueby, T. O. Smith, et al. {New 

 Hampshire Sta. Bui. 167 {1913), pp. 11). — Analyses of 187 samples of fertilizers 

 sold in the State during the year are reported. 



Analyses and valuations of commercial fertilizers and ground bone, C. S. 

 Cathcart et al. (New Jersey 8tas. Bui. 261 {1913), pp. 3-64).— This bulletin 

 completes the report of inspection of fertilizers in New Jersey during 1913, 

 giving analyses and valuations of fertilizers in addition to those reported in 

 Bulletin 259 (E. S. R., 30, p. 327) and discussing the results of the inspection 

 as a whole. 



During the year 122 manufacturers and jobbers registered 2,078 brands of ferti- 

 lizers for sale in the State, 1,617 being mixed goods and 461 fertilizer materials. 

 Of the samples collected 944 were analyzed. Of the 623 brands of mixed ferti- 

 lizers examined 457 were found to be as guaranteed. Considering the shipments 

 of fertilizers as a whole, the full amount of plant food guarantied was delivered, 

 but a study of the individual analyses shows that this average was due to a 

 balancing of excesses and deficiencies. 



The average composition, valuation, and selling price of the fertilizers ex- 

 amined during the year were as follows: Total nitrogen, 2.63 per cent; total 

 phosphoric acid, 9.28; available phosphoric acid, 7.74; insoluble phosphoric 

 acid, 1.54 ; potash, 7.13 ; station's valuation, $23.22 ; and selling price, $29.37. 



According to the certified statements which the law requires manufacturers 

 to make on April 1 and November 1 of each year, the amount of fertilizers 

 sold in the State during 1913 was 156,661 tons, valued at about $4,500,000. 



Fertilizer registrations, C. S. Cathcart {New Jersey Stas. Bui. 264 {1914), 

 pp. 3-45). — This is a list, accompanied by guarantied minimum analyses, of 

 mixed fertilizers and fertilizing materials which are to be offered for sale in 

 New Jersey during the year ending October 31, 1914. 



[Fertilizer inspection in North Carolina 1912 to 1913], B. W. Kilgoee 

 et al. {N. C. Dept. Agr. Bui., 34 {1913), No. 10, pp. i9S).— Analyses and valua- 

 tions of samples of fertilizers (and cotton-seed meal) collected during the fall 

 of 1912 and the spring of 1913 are reported. A list of brands registered, with 

 their guarantied analyses, is also given. It is stated that the fertilizers and 

 meals were found to be generally what was claimed for them. 



AGRICULTURAL BOTANY. 



Agricultural bacteriology, C. M. Hutchinson {Ann. Rpt. Bd. Sci. Advice 

 India, 1911-12, pp. 128-131). — A report is made on the work of the bacterio- 

 logical section, in which the author states that the method of determining the 

 bacteriological activity of the soil by plate counts has been abandoned in 

 favor of methods depending upon the measurement of the physiological activity 

 of the soil organisms. 



