220 EXPEEIMENT STATION RECORD. 



The brown and blue phosphate rock deposits of south-central Tennessee, 

 J. S. Hook and L. P. Brown {Resources Tenn., Jf {IBl.'i), No. 2, pp. 51-86, pi. 1, 

 figs. 12). — This paper discusses " tlie extent of indiA'idual fields, the methods of 

 mining, and the preparation of the phosphate for marl^et, its uses, etc. . . . 

 There are three distinct varieties of phosphate rocli in Tennessee, linown com- 

 mercially as: (a) The 'brown' roclc; (b) the 'blue' rock; and (c) the 'white' 

 rock. Of these, only the first two are being exploited at the present time, 

 and are here given attention." 



The total production in 1912 was 423,331 long tons. The phosphate is sold 

 under guaranty of from 70 to SO per cent of tricalcium phosphate with not more 

 than from 4 to 6* per cent of combined iron and alumina. 



The influence of lime in the form of caustic lime and carbonate on the 

 physical properties of different kinds of soil, O. Engels (Landw. Vers. Stat., 

 83 {191 Jf), No. 5-6, pp. 409-466, fig. 1; abs. in Ztschr. Angew. Chem., 27 {1914), 

 No. 37, Referatenteil, p. 298). — From the investigations reported the author con- 

 cludes that on the addition of lime to the soil the colloids are precipitated and 

 a crumbly structure is produced. The water capacity and the permeability 

 of the soil for water is at the same time increased, and to a greater extent in 

 heavy soils than in light. 



The capillary rise of water in the soil as well as the hygroscopicity were 

 decreased by liming, the reduction in the latter case being greater the larger the 

 proportion of clay and fine particles. 



The ease of cultivation was decidedly increased by liming, the effect in this 

 respect increasing with the compactness of the soil and the amount of clay and 

 fine particles present. The shrinkage of the soil was very decidedly reduced by 

 liming, particularly in the case of soil containing a large amount of clay and 

 fine particles. 



Injurious effect of heavy applications of lime on upland moor soils, 

 Densch and Arnd {CentU. Bakt. [etc.], 2. AM., 40 {1914), No. 1-8, pp. 83-87).— 

 Investigations in continuation of those already noted (E. S. R., 29, p. 832) gave 

 results confirming the authors' previous conclusions, and further emphasized 

 the fact that the formation of nitrite when heavy applications of lime are made 

 on moor soils is due to biological rather than chemical action since only traces 

 of nitrite w^ere found when the soil and the lime were carefully sterilized. 



The action of sulphur on plant production, as well as the agreement of the 

 results of field experiments with Gauss's law of probability, T. Pfeiffer and 

 E. Blanck {iMmhv. Vers. Stat., 83 {1914), No. 5-6, pp. 359-383, fig. 1; abs. in 

 Ztschr. Angeio. Chem., 27 {1914), No. 37, Rcfei-atenteil, p. 298).— Investigations 

 by others on the fertilizing effect of sulphur are reviewed and field experiments 

 in which sulphur was applied at the rate of from 267 to 524 lbs. per acre to oats 

 on a heavy loam soil are reported. 



The results indicated that the applications of suli^hur increased neither the 

 plant growth nor the utilization of the soil nitrogen ; in fact, in many cases 

 the opposite result was obtained in both respects. In the author's opinion the 

 very favorable results following fertilizing with sulphur reported by other in- 

 vestigators are to be accepted with caution in view of the faulty methods of 

 experimenting used. 



The applicability of Gauss's law of probability to the results of field experi- 

 ments is discussed and in the authors' opinion confirmed. 



Manganese in the living organism and its agricultural applications, 

 Lepercq {M^m. Acad. Sci. Lyon, 3. ser., 13 {1913), pp. 177-192) .—This article 

 discusses the diffusion of manganese in plants and animals, the relation of 

 manganese to enzyms, and manganese fertilizers, incidentally referring to some 



