SOILS — FEItTILIZERS. 627 



The phosphate deposits of the United States, W. IT. Waggaman {Amer. 

 Pert., S7 {VJ12), No. 2, pp. 3//-36').— This is a brief descriptiou of tlie pliosphate 

 deposits of the United St;:tes. witli notes on their exploitation. 



The composition of certain Palestine phosphates and their fluorin content, 

 G. Danelli {Rend. Soc. Chivi. Ital., 2. ser., 4 {1912), No. 7, pp. 165-173).— 

 Reports by other investigators on tliese phosphates are reviewed, and detailed 

 analyses of a number of samples are presented. These show from 25.5 to 39.28 

 per cent of phosplioric acid and from 3.5 to 4.SS per cent of fluorin. The amount 

 of calcium carbonate present varies widely, ranging from 1.87 to 33.73 per cent. 

 The peculiar characteristics and geological relationships of these phosphates 

 are briefly discussed. 



The utilization of the phosphates of central Russia {Iniernat. Inst. Agr. 

 [Rome], Bui. Bur. Agr. Intel, and Plant Diseases, 3 {1912), No. 6, pp. 1286^ 

 1290). — This is a brief summary of information on this subject with a number 

 of references to the literature. 



It is stated in brief that " in central and eastern Russia there are extensive 

 phosphate deposits sufficient for the needs of that part of the country. These 

 minerals, though not rich enough to interest directly the international market, 

 do so indirectly, because when industrially prepared they might emancipate the 

 above regions from the importation of foreign phosphatic manures. The utili- 

 zation of the above phosphates is important also from the point of view of inter- 

 national agricultural production, for by favoring the consumption of manures, 

 which at present is hampered by the cost of carriage, it promotes the develop- 

 ment of agriculture in these important cereal and flax producing regions." 



[Experiments with different phosphates], D. N. Prianishnikov kt al. 

 {Izv. Moslcov. SelsJi.. Khoz. Inst. {Ann. Inst, .igron. Moscou), 18 {1912), No. 1, 

 pp. XIII-\- 1-179, figs 17). — Accounts are given of experiments in the prepara- 

 tion of superphosphates from different Russian phosphorites, and of tests of the 

 fertilizing value of various liinds of crude and manufactured phosphates. 



It was found in general that certain of the Russian pliosphorites could be 

 economically converted into superphosphate. The crude phosphates showed a 

 low fertilizing valne when used on sandy soils. Superphosphates and precipi- 

 tated phosphates prepared from the crude phosphates, however, showed a 

 decidedly higher fertilizer efficiency. So-called Viborg phosphate, prepared from 

 various crude phosphates (by fusion with sodium carbonate), proved more 

 effective than phosphatic slag. 



Tests of the treatment of steamed bone and crude phosphate with potassium 

 bisnlphate indicated that this method may replace the use of sulphuric acid in 

 the manufacture of superphosphates from bones and natural phosphates. The 

 addition of iron bisulphid to crude phosphate was found to decrease the yield. 

 Additions of small amounts of ferrous and ferric sulphates were without effect, 

 but larger amounts wei'e injurious. The addition of ammonium chlorid favored 

 the solution of the phosphate, and mixtures of ammonium chlorid and sodium 

 nitrate were more effective in this respect than sodium nitrate alone. With the 

 most favorable combination the yield was very nearly as great as with super- 

 phosphate. Mixtures of calcium nitrate and ammonium sulphate exerted very 

 favorable action on crude phosphates, Thomas slag, and bone meal. 



In experiments with oats the addition of peat exerted no favorable effect upon 

 the assimilation of the phosphates. 



Eield investigations for potash in America, H. S. Gale {Amer. Fert., 87 

 {1912), No. 2, pp. 38-JiO). — A brief summary is given of the work undertaken 

 and the results obtained by the United States Geological Survey in its search 

 for potash supplies in this country. 



