SOILS — FERTILIZERS. 629 



On the basis of these experiments the authdr classifies the oatalj'tic fertilizers 

 as specially favorable to e;ich crop as follows: Carrots, sulphur, aluminum sul- 

 phate, manganese sulphate, sodium silicate; beans, sulphur; celery, sulphur, 

 ferrous sulphate, sodium silicate, manganese sulphate, aluminum sulphate; 

 spinach, sulphur; lettuce, sulphur, manganese sulphate, ferrous sulphate, alumi- 

 num sulphate; sorrel, sulphur, manganese sulphate; chicory, sulphur, aluminum 

 sulphate; potatoes, aluminum sulphate, sodium silicate, ferrous sulphate, sul- 

 phur; onions, aUuninum sulphate, ferrous sulphate, and sulphur. 



From experiments with sulphur on sterilized and unsterilized soil, the author 

 concludes that the favorable action of sulphur is probably due to its Intluence 

 in modifying the bacterial flora of the soil and hindering the growth of certain 

 organisms. 



The stimulating action of manganese, Quante (Dent. Landio. Prcsse, 39 

 {1912), No. S3, pp. 961, 962). — This article briefly reviews the work of several 

 Investigators on this subject, especially that of Boullanger noted above. 



The author concludes that the experimental i'e.sults show a marked benefit 

 under certain conditions from the use of manganese compounds as fertilizer, but 

 that some of the conclusions regarding the agricultural value of these com- 

 pounds are too optimistic. Their actual agricultural value can be finally 

 determined only by further practical trials under farm conditions. 



Study of sulphur as a fertilizer, F. Giannetto (Bol. Quind. 8oc. Agr. Itah, 

 11 (1912), Ao. l.'i, pp. Ji25-Ji29). — Experiments with sulphur alone and combined 

 with different fertilizing materials on potatoes are reported, showing that 

 sulphur applied alone at the rate of 400 lbs. per acre resulted in a net loss. 

 When applied with other fertilizers, there was a decided net profit. 



Utilizing sludge in Bradford, England (Municipal Jour., 32 (1912), A'o. 19, 

 pp. 70S. 709). — Brief reference is made to profits obtained from sewage grease 

 and sludge fertilizer, the plant for the preparation of which is being greatly 

 extended. 



City street sweepings as a fertilizer, J. J. Skinneb and J. H. Beattie ( Z7. 8. 

 Dept. Agr., Bur. Soils Circ. 66, pp. S, figs. 2; Jour. Indus, and Engin. Chem., 4 

 (1912), No. 8, pp. 60Jf-606, figs. 2). — This circular reports analyses and wire- 

 basket tests on wheat, corn, and radishes of 3 samples of street sweepings, (1) 

 the debris secured by hand sweeping with a brush, (2) that secured by sweep- 

 ing with a machine, and (3) the decomposed material from a dump pile which 

 had been accumulating for some time. The first contained 1.34 per cent nitrogen, 

 0,71 per cent potash, and 1.03 per cent phosphoric acid ; the second, 0.S6 per cent 

 nitrogen, 0.55 per cent potash, and 0.55 per cent phosphoric acid ; and the third. 

 •0.60 per cent nitrogen, 0.56 per cent potash, and 0.60 per cent phosphoric acid 



In general, increased growth followed the use of all 3 materials, but the de- 

 composed sweepings were least effective. The fertilizing effect of the sweepings 

 was increased by extraction of the oil which they contained, and after euch 

 treatment they were practically as effective as stable manure. It appears, 

 therefore, that oil is a deleterious constituent of the sweepings. 



Beview cf progress in the fertilizer industry, 1909—1911, G. Wicheen 

 (Chem. Ztg., 36 (1912), Nos. 37, pp. 329-331, figs. 3; 39, pp. 354, 355, figs. 2; 43, 

 pp. 389-392, figs. 6; 46, PP. 420, 421, figs. 5; 47, rtp. 434-436, figs. 5; 51, pp. 474, 

 475; 52, pp. 482-484)- — ^This is a review of statistics of production and con- 

 sumption of fertilizers in the principal countries of the world, of development 

 of old and new sources of fertilizing materials, of methods of analysis, and of 

 manufacturing processes and machinery. 



[Fertilizers] (Fia. Quart. Bui. Agr. Dept., 22 (1912), No. 2, pp. 159-169, 173- 

 1S5). — This is a report on fertilizer inspection in Florida, with analyses of 

 fertilizers examined to April 1, 1912. 



