624 EXPEKIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Is artificial calcium carbonate more effective than limestone meal? H. 

 YoKOYAMA {Jour. Col. Agr. Imp. Univ. Tokyo, 1 {1909), No. 2, pp. 181, 182).— 

 The results of experiments with oats in sand cultures indicate that the artificial 

 calcium carbonate was not more effective than fine-ground limestone. 



On the lime factor for oats, J. N. Sirker {Jour. Col. Agr. Imp. Univ. Tokyo, 

 1 {1909), N.O. 2, pp. 183, 184). — The results of sand cultures indicate that the 

 best lime-magnesia ratio is 1 : 1 as in case of other cereals. 



On the influence of different ratios of lime to magnesia on the growth of 

 rice, II, K. Aso {Jour. Col. Agr. Imp. Univ. Tokyo, 1 {1909), No. 2, pp. 111- 

 173, pis. 3). — The results of these experiments with calcium and magnesium 

 sulphates confirm those of previous experiments with carbonates (E. S. R., 15, 

 p. 1062). They show "that any change of the ratio CaO : MgO=l leads to a 

 decrease of the harvest. The unfavorable effects of the sulphates upon the yield 

 were more marked than those of the carbonates, probably on account of the 

 slightly acid reaction in the soil." 



On the influence of the ratio of lime to magnesia upon the yield in sand 

 culture, K. Aso {Jour. Col. Agr. Imp. Univ. Tokyo, 1 {1909), No. 2, pp. 115- 

 180). — The conclusions in brief from these experiments are as follows: "A 

 certain favorable ratio of lime to magnesia for plant growth exists even in 

 sand culture. Absolute excess of lime or magnesia, provided it be kept within 

 certain limits, has no retarding effect on the develoi)ment of the plants, the 

 ratio between these bases being the chief factor for plant growth." 



Some principles in manuring with lime and magnesia, O. Loew {Porto 

 Rico Sta. Circ. 10, pp. 3-15). — This is a critical review of the various investi- 

 gations which have been made upon the influence of the ratio of lime to magnesia 

 on the fertility of soils. It is shown to be of great importance to determine the 

 magnesia as well as the lime content of soils in order that the proper ratio 

 between these constituents may be obtained. This is of special importance in 

 the case of Porto Rican soils on account of the great variation in the lime- 

 magnesia ratio. 



The use of manganese as a fertilizer, IIaffner {Bui. Econ. Indo-Chinc. 

 n. ser., 11 {1908), No. 7//, pp. 514-519). — This article contains a note presented 

 to the French Academy of Sciences by G. Bertrand, showing the favorable action 

 of manganese salts on oats as well as an account of experiments which showed 

 the beneficial effect of manganese on rice. 



The results of experiments on sugar beets with distillery vinasse {Ann. 

 Dir. Hydraul. et Am€lior. Agr., Min. Agr. [France^, 1907, No. 36, pp. 25-29). — 

 Very favorable results with sugar beets on a soil poor in potash are reported 

 from the use of 500 to 1,500 cubic meters of the vinasse per hectare, supplying 

 from 40 to 120 kg. of nitrogen. .50 to 150 kg. of phosphoric acid, and 250 to 750 

 kg. of potash per hectare. 



Researches on the preservation of night soil, K. Aso and S. Nishimura 

 (Jour. Col. Agr. Imp. Univ. Tokyo, 1 {1909), No. 2, pp. 1.',5-151, fig. i).— Super- 

 phosphate was shown by laboratory and field experiments to be an effective 

 preservative for night soil due to fixation of ammonia and the checking of putre- 

 faction of the nitrogenous matter by the monocalcium phosphate present. 

 Gypsum and kainit were found to be less effective than superphosphate in 

 fixing ammonia. 



Manures and substances proposed as manures, R. D. Watt {Transvaal 

 Dept. Agr. Ann. Rpt. 1908, pp. 265-268).— Analyses are reported of samples 

 of potash salts, native guanos, leaf mold, slack-heap ashes, lime, and limestones. 



Fertilizers, R. E. Rose and I.. Heimburger {Fla. Quart. Bui. Agr. Dept., 19 

 {1909), No. 3, pp. 36-58. 70-83).— The laws and regulations controlling the in- 

 spection and sale of mixed fertilizers and cotton-seed meal in Florida are given 



