122 EXPERIMENT STATION EECORD. 



1908 was 2,163,787 tons as compared with 2,026,626 tons in 1907. The exporta- 

 tion in 1908 was 2,251,652 tons as compared with 1,818,093 tons in 1907. The 

 consumption in 1908 is estimated to have been 2,016,136 tons as compared with 

 1,908,709 tons in 1907. 



On the fertilizer action of peat nitrogen, Herrmann {lllus. Landio. Ztg., 28 

 (1908), No. 102, p. SH^). — Conii)arative pot tests are reported showing that tak- 

 ing the yield of rye without nitrogenous fertilizers as 100, tlie yield with stable 

 manure was 153, while with moor pent it was 121 to 132 and with peat litter 95, 

 although the latter supplied much more nitrogen than stable manure. 



Potash fertilizing, Schneidewind (Landw. Wchnschr. Sachsen, 11 (1909), 

 No. 14, pp. 150-152). — The results of a large number of experiments on sandy 

 soils poor in potash and on more productive soils with potatoes, beets, wheat, 

 rye, barley, oats, leguminous plants, and meadow grasses are reported. The 

 potash salts used were kainit and 40 per cent potash salt used in connection 

 with manure and with a basal fertilizer supplying nitrogen and phosphoric acid. 



The general conclusion reached is that it is not advisable to apply potash 

 fertilizers in the spring if the season is very dry. In this case the application 

 of potash salts as frequently results in injury as in benefit. The better class 

 of soils, which do not form a crust when liberally fertilized with potash salts, 

 may be so fertilized each year, but as a rule it is perhaps better to apply potash 

 fertilizers every second or even third year, and to make the application only to 

 such crops as are especially benefited by such fertilizers. The injurious effect 

 of potash salts on the mechanical condition of the soil can be largely overcome 

 by the use of caustic lime. Beneficial results from the use of potash fertilizers 

 can be obtained only when the other fertilizing constituents are present in suf- 

 ficient amount. 



Notes on potash fertilizers, P,achelier (Bui. Soc. Nat. Agr. France, 69 

 (1909), No. 2, pp. 92-99). — Experiments with potash salts in combination with 

 ether fertilizers on beets and oats grown on a clay soil containing 0.13 per cent 

 of potash are reported. This soil had been liberally fertilized in previous years 

 with barnyard manure. The results indicate that on such a soil potash fer- 

 tilizers are not needed and that under certain weather conditions an increase of 

 potash exerts an injurious influence on the yield. 



The discovery of potash salts in Alsace, L. Pervinqxjieee (Rev. Sri. [Paris], 

 },1 (1909), I, No. 1.',, pp. 43Jf, //,J.5).— Extensive deposits of potash salts which 

 have been discovered near Miilhausen are briefly described. 



The discovery of potash salts in Upper Alsace, J. Yogt and M. Mieg (Bui. 

 Soc. lndu>5. Miilliouse, 1908, Scpt.-Oct.; ah-s. in Naturw. Rundnchau, 2-'i (1909), 

 No. 25, pp. 317, 318). — The deposits discovered near Miilhausen are described. 

 There are two layers of sylvinite, the upper 1.5 meters thick, the lower 2 to 3 

 meters thick. They contain on the average from 30 to 35 per cent of potas- 

 sium chlorid (sylvin). 



Tertiary potash deposits in Upper Alsace, F. Meinecke (Naturu-. Wchnschr., 

 2'i ( 1909), No. 17, pp. 268. 269). — Extensive deposits are described. 



Norwegian potash fertilizers, J. Gram (Tidsskr. Kemi, Farm, og Ter., 1907, 

 pp. 252-255; ahs. in Zcnthl. Agr. Chcm,., 38 (1909), No. 3, p. 210).— The prep- 

 aration of potash salts from seaweed ash as a by-product of iodin manufacture, 

 especially on the west coast of Norway, is described. Analyses of 30 per cent 

 potash salt and 50 per cent chlorid produced are given. 



The amount of potash annually carried into the sea by streams, P. Krische 

 (Kali, 1909, pp. 75, 76; ahs. in Chcm. Ztg., .33 {1909), No. 30, Repert., p. 1^5).— 

 The amount is estimated at 50,000,000 tons, or about 100 times the potash produc- 

 tion of Germany. It is estimated that the ocean contains about 4.50.000,000.000 

 tons of potash. 



