724 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



{1909), No. 3, pp. 221-236; ahs. in Jour. Chon. ^oc. [London], 96 {1909), No. 

 559, II, p. //28). — A tecbiiical-chemical study is reported. 



The use of molasses as a fertilizer, P. Boname {Hta. Agron. Mauritius Bui. 

 20. 1909, pp. 21-24). — Experimeuts to determiue the fertilizing value for sugar 

 cane of " molascinder," which is a mixture of molasses, ashes, scum, and other 

 residue of sugar mailing, are reported. 



It is stated that the molasses in the mixture used contained 2 per cent of 

 potash and 0.35 per cent of nitrogen, and the scum 2 per cent of phosphoric acid 

 and 0.8 per cent of nitrogen. The material was therefore comparatively rich in 

 potash and gave best results when supplemented with phosphatic and nitro- 

 genous fertilizers. The results on sugar cane indicated a greater benefit than 

 could be ascribed to the fertilizing constituents applied, and this increased 

 benefit is attributed to the action of the molasses in promoting the activity of 

 beneficial soil bacteria. 



Annual report on fertilizers, P>. 15. Koss {Bui. Ayr. Dvpt. [Ala.], No. 29, pp. 

 125). — This report contains analyses of fertilizers and cotton-seed meal in- 

 spected during the year ended July 31, 1909, as well as lists of fertilizer licenses 

 issued, number and names of brands of fertilizers registered, and the texts of 

 the State fertilizer and cotton-seed meal laws. The bulletin also contains an 

 article giving general information regarding the composition and sources of 

 fertilizers, the composition of the cotton plant at various stages of growth and 

 at maturity, and the fertilizer requirements of the cotton plant. 



Inspection and analyses of conimercial fertilizers on sale in the State, 

 W. F. Hand et al. {Mississippi ISta. Cires. 20, pp. 3-15; 21, pp. 3-19; 22, pp. 

 8-24; 23, pp. Jt-20 ; 2Jt, pp. 3-21). — The results of analyses of samples of fertiliz- 

 ers inspected from 1905 to 1907 are reported. 



Commercial fertilizers and poisonous insecticides in 1908—9, G. S. Fraps 

 {Texas Sta. Bui. 123, pp. 5-11, fig. 1). — This bulletin reports the results of the 

 control work with fertilizers and insecticides in Texas during the season of 

 1908-9, with explanations of the principal features of the fertilizer and insecti- 

 cide law of the State, valuation of fertilizers, the conditions under which free 

 analyses are made, directions for taking samples, and results of the analyses 

 of fertilizers. The amount of fertilizer, exclusive of cotton-seed meal, sold in 

 Texas from September 1, 1908, to May 1, 1909, is estimated at 23,800 tons. The 

 average selling price per ton during this period was $26.22 per ton as compared 

 with $29.07 per ton during the preceding season. The average valuation was 

 $20.55 per t(5n as compax'ed with $22.05 during the i)recediug iseasou. 



AGRICTJLTUEAL BOTANY. 



Plant food removed from growing' plants by rain or dew, ,T. A. Le Clerc 

 and .J. F. Breazeale {U. »s'. Dept. A</r. Ycarhool- 1908. pp. 3H9-i,02). — Accounts 

 are given of the authors' investigations, together with a review of previous work 

 on this subject. 



Preliminary to the main investigation, experiments were carried on in the 

 translocation of plant food in the wheat plant, the studies being made in a series 

 of Wagner pots and samples analyzed for nitrogen, potash, and phosphoric acid. 

 From these experiments it was shown that there was a migration of plant food 

 from the dead to the liviug tissue, and that the nitrogen and phosphoric acid 

 were transferred toward the seed, whereas tbe potash remained for the most 

 part in the stem and leaves. The loss of plant food, instead of being a physio- 

 logical or biological process, is held to be simply a mechanical one, due to the 

 action of rain, dew, etc. 



I 



