422 EXPERIMENT STATION EECORD. 



From analysis of a limited number of kelps it was foimd that phosphoric acid 

 varied from 0.51 per cent in Pelagophycus porra to 1.84 per cent in Macrocystis 

 pyrifera, and sulphur from 1.08 in Nereocystis leiitkeana to 3.45 in M. pyrifcra. 



Significance of the word kainit, A. Zaeag{jeta {Jour. Agr. Prat., n. ser., 23 

 {1912), No. IS, pp. 556, 557). — It is stated that the natural salt found in the 

 Stassfurt deposits to which the name kainit was originally given has, accord- 

 ing to Precht, the formula : MgCh. K2SO4. MgS04. 6H2O. The theoretical com- 

 position of kainit is KCl. MgS04. SILO, according to Yan't Hoff, who showed 

 that Precht was at fault in maintaining that the potassium was present as 

 sulphate. In fact, in all of the natural potash salts of the German mines of 

 most commercial importance the potassium is present as chlorid. The term 

 kainit is used at the mines to designate all products containing from 12.4 to 

 16 per cent of potash soluble in water, and less than 6 per cent of magnesium 

 chlorid soluble in alcohol. The kainit group is therefore usually a mixture of 

 various salts in which, however, the potassium is always combined with chlorin. 

 Sjalts containing over 6 per cent of magnesium chlorid soluble in alcohol are 

 classed as carnallite. 



Discovery of chalk and phosphatic sands in the Department of the Yonne, 

 France, G. Negre {Compt. Rend. Acad. Sci. [Paris], 154 {1912), Xo. 20, pp. 

 1314-1316). — The geological character and estimated extent of deposits in the 

 vicinity of Sens are briefly discussed. 



Report on departmental experiments with ground limestone, H. J. Col- 

 bourn (Agr. Gaz. Tasnmnia, 20 {1912), No. S, pp. 94-97, figs. 2). — The bene- 

 ficial effect of ground limestone on mustard and rape in experiments here 

 reported is ascribed to its favorable action on nitrification. 



Some bacteriological effects of liming, P. E. Brown {Cenibl. Bakt. [etc.], 2. 

 Abt., 34 {1912), No. 4-7, pp. 148-172; abs. in Jour. Chem. Soc. [London], 102 

 {1912), No. 597, II, p. 670). — This is substantially a reprint of matter contained 

 in Iowa Station Research Bulletin 2 (E. S. R., 23, p. 428). 



Experiments on the action of sulphur as a fertilizer in 1911, Beenhard 

 {Dent. Landiv. Presse, 39 {1912), No. 23, p. 275). — Experiments are reported 

 which showed marked benefit from applications of sulphur (44 lbs. per plat of 

 600 sq. yds.) on hoed crops, especially potatoes and mangolds. 



The fei-tilizing action of sulphur, L. Degrully {Prog. Agr. et Vit. {Ed. VEst- 

 Cenire), 33 {1912), No. 11, pp. 321-324). — This is mainly a review of investiga- 

 tions by Boullanger (E. S. R., 27, p. 27) and Demolon (E. S. R., 26, p. 819), 

 with reference also to the suggestion of Gastine that the fertilizing effect of 

 carbon bisulphid is due in part at least to the sulphur left in the soil in a fine 

 state of division. 



Sulphur as a fertilizer {Abs. in Intemat. Inst. Agr. [Rome], Bid. Bur. Agr. 

 Intel, and Plant Diseases, 3 {1912), No. 5, pp. 1109-1111).— This is a review of 

 investigations by Boullanger, Demolon, Bemhard, and Degrully, referred to 

 above. 



Sand and ashes from Vesuvius, E. Casokia {Ann. R. Scuola Sup. Agr. Portici, 

 2. scr., 9 {1910), Art. 6, pp. 26). — Analyses of a large number of samples show 

 generally a rather high percentage of potash (about 7 per cent in some cases) 

 and about 0.75 per cent of phosphoric acid. 



Artificial manures in Hungary, de Mikl6s de MiklosvAr {Intemat. Inst. 

 Agr. [Rome], Bui. Bur. Agr. Intel, and Plant Diseases, 3 {1912). No. 4, pp. 899, 

 900). — It is stated that the use of fertilizers is increasing each year with the 

 growing improvement in agriculture. The c6ndltions under which the National 

 Hungarian Agricultural Association will give prizes for the best articles on the 

 importance of the use of superphosphates in Hungary are stated. 



