316 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Basic phosphatic slag, J. B. Lindsey (Amcr. Pert., 30 {1909), No. 5, pp. 5, 

 6). — This is a brief summary of information regarding the composition, avail- 

 ability, fertilizing value, and use of phosphatic slag. 



Production of phosphate rock during 1908 (0(7, Paint and Drug Reporter, 

 1.5 {PJ09), No. 25, pp. 28D, 28E). — According to an advance report issued by 

 the U; S. Geological Survey and reprinted here, the total production of phos- 

 phate rock in the United States in 1908 was 2,386,138 long tons valued at 

 $11,399,124, representing a slight increase over the production of the previous 

 year. The estimated life of the present known deposits and the importance 

 and means of preventing their wasteful use are discussed. 



A new potash salt (Engin. and Min. Jottr., 87 (1909), No. 25, p. 1239).— A 

 new potash salt consisting of ferrous chlorid, 1 part; potassium chlorid, 3 

 parts; and sodium chlorid, 1 part, obtained from the mines of the Nordhauser 

 Potash Works, is described. 



The action of soda on plant growth, H. Yageler (FiUiJing's Landw. Ztg., 58 

 (1909). No. 10, pp. 369-373). — The general conclusion drawn from pot experi- 

 ments reported in this article is that soda is either completely worthless as a 

 plant food or is injurious to plant growth. It was found to be without effect 

 upon the physical properties of loam soils except when used in large amounts. 

 In this case it tended to make the soil more compact. 



Lime and magnesia in plants and soils, O. Loew (PiiJiling's Landw. Ztg., 

 58 (1909), No. 10, pp. 355-369).— This is a new presentation of the author's 

 well-known views regarding the influence of the relative proportion of lime 

 and magnesia in the soil upon the growth of plants. 



Locusts as a fertilizer (An. Soc. Rural Argenthia, Jf3 (1909), No. 52, pp. lJf5, 

 146). — It is shown that locusts have a high fertilizing value, being especially 

 rich in nitrogen, and it is suggested that the large swarms which occasionally 

 appear in parts of Argentina might be profitably used for this purpose. 



On the utilization of pond mud as a soil improver, H. Gkuner (Deut. 

 Landw. Presse, 36 (1909), No. 38, pp. 1,11, 1,12).— In view of the fact that this 

 material contains very small amounts of fertilizing matter and frequently con- 

 tains injurious substances, weed seeds and the like, it is considered doubtful 

 whether its use as a fertilizer is advisable. Analyses of a few samples are 

 given. 



Commercial fertilizers, J. S. Burd (California aS7«. Bid. 202. pp. 295-325). — 

 This bulletin contains tabulated analyses of 271 samples of fertilizers examined 

 during the six months ended December 31, 1908. The bulletin also, contains 

 notes on the valuation and purchase of fertilizers. 



Fertilizers, G. Roberts (Kentucky Sta. Bui. I'/O, pp. 39-87). — 'This is a com- 

 pilation of information on the purchase and use of fertilizers, sources of ferti- 

 lizing materials, care of farm manures, and green manure crops. The impor- 

 tance of disseminating correct information regarding the purchase and use of 

 fertilizers is indicated by the statement that *' there are expended annually for 

 commercial fertilizers in Kentucky about one and one-quarter millions of dol- 

 lars," but that " a very large part of this money is lost because many farmers 

 do not know how to purchase fertilizers economically and use them to best 

 advantage." 



Fertilizing materials, F. T. Shutt (Canada Expt. Farms Rpts. 1907, pp. 

 159-165). — Analyses of fish scrap from dogfish reduction works, whale scrap, 

 refuse from wine factory, waste from cotton factory, fine deposit and dust from 

 elevators, gypsum, river deposit, limekiln ashes, marl, calcareous deposit, and 

 gas lime are reported, with comments upon their fertilizing value. 



