AGEICULTUEAL BOTANY. 423 



The consumption of chemical and mineral fertilizers in Spain, T. G.^i.lego 

 (Meni: Dir. Gen. Agr., Minas y Monies [Spain's, 1912, pp. 361-365, pi. 1 ; abs. in 

 Internat. Inst. Agr. [RomeS, Bui. Bur. Agr. Intel, and Plant Diseases, 3 (1912), 

 No. 5, pp. 1113, lll-'i). — Statistics collected by the ministry of agricultm-e show a 

 marked increase in the use of fertilizers due to an energetic propaganda, low 

 prices, improved laws relating to inspection and purchase, and formation of 

 purchasing associations. It is estimated that the total consumption in Spain 

 in 1911 was '581,320 metric tons, of which 82,580 tons was consumed in Valencia 

 alone. A large proportion of the fertilizers is now imported. 



Inspection and analyses of commercial fertilizers in Mississippi, 1911—12, 

 W. F. Hand et al. (Mississippi Sta. Circ. 3.'i, pp. 31). — This circular contains 

 the analyses and valuations of 88 samples of fertilizer drawn by regular in- 

 spectors and also guaranties for nil brands registered to date. 



Analyses of fertilizers, spring season, 1912, B. W. Kilgore et al, (Bui. 

 K. C. Dept. Agr., 33 (1912), No. Jf, pp. 95). — ^This bulletin contains analyses of 

 fertilizers collected by the fertilizer inspectors of the state department of 

 agriculture during the spring of 1912, as well as a list of brands of fertilizers 

 registered for sale during the season 1911-12. 



The inspection of cotton-seed meal, season 1911—12, W. F. Hand et al. 

 (Mississippi 8ta. Bui. 156, pp. 3-33). — This bulletin contains tables of analyses 

 of samples of cotton-seed meal drawn by inspectors fi'om shipments in various 

 parts of the State and of so-called official samples forwarded by oil mills in 

 accordance with the requirements of the law. The valuation of cotton-seed meal 

 is briefly discussed. 



The mixing of fertilizers, G. "N^ecchi (Riv. Agr. [Parmal, 18 (1912), No. 23, 

 pp. 355-357). — This is a brief discussion containing a convenient table showing 

 compatibles and incompatibles in fertilizing materials. 



Home mixing and general fertilizer formulas (South Carolina Sta. Circ. 4, 

 pp. 7). — Forty formulas for the use of farmers in preparing home mixtures of 

 fertilizers are given. 



AGEICULTTJRAL BOTANY. 



Practical botany, J. T. Bergen and O. W. Caldwell (Boston, New York, 

 Chicago, and London, 1911, pp. ¥11+5^5, figs. 388). — This book is designed to 

 supply the needs of students in secondarj' schools, the recommendations regard- 

 ing the botanical courses suggested by the Botanical Society of America and the 

 North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools being followed. 

 After treating of plant life and structures, the great groups of plants are dis- 

 cussed at some length. The authors include the principles of plant nutrition, 

 and the relation of plant nutrition to soils and climate and to the food of 

 animals and men. Discussions are also given of diseases produced by parasitic 

 plants, the propagation of plants, plant breeding, forestry, and the main uses 

 of plants and plant products. 



The relative amount of information of economic importance that is included in 

 this work makes it appear to be well adapted to secondary schools, particularly 

 those leading to higher institutions where the economic relations of plants are 

 featured. 



A laboratory manual of general agricultural bacteriology, E. G. Hastings, 

 C. Hoffmann, and W. H. Weight (Madison: Univ. Wis., 1911, pp. Jf7). — This 

 manual gives an outline of a course of laboratory instruction which is designed 

 to convey to the student some of the principal relations of bacteria to farm 

 operations and to illustrate their importance in the daily life of the farm. The 



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