G24 



EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



and Steiger, recommending field tests for determining the fertilizer requirements of 

 soils and describing methods of conducting such tests. 



Analyses of commercial fertilizers (South Carolina Sta. Bui. 3- r >, pp. 32). — This 

 bulletin gives notes on valuation of fertilizers in South Carolina and laws and regu- 

 lations controlling fertilizer inspection in that State, with tabulated analyses and 

 valuations of 142 samples of fertilizing materials inspected during the season of 

 1897-98. 



Natural phosphates compared -with each other and -with acid phosphate, 

 W. P. BROOKS (Massachusetts Hatch Sta. Ept. 1S97, pp. 14-10) — This is a continuation 

 of experiments begun in 1890 (E. S. R., 9, p. 337), The crop grown during 1897 was 

 Swedish turnips. The peculiarities of the season rendered the results of the exper- 

 iment inconclusive. 



FIELD CROPS. 



Composition of maize, H. W. Wiley ( U. S. Dept. Agr., Division of 

 Chemistry Bui. 50, pp. 31). — This bulletin, which is compiled chiefly from 

 the records of the Division of Chemistry, treats of tbe composition of 

 Indian corn, the composition and properties of tbe stalks, composition 

 of cobs, manufacture of starch, glucose, whiskey, and alcohol, and the 

 by-products obtained in their manufacture. 



The composition of maire, as shown by analyses in the United States 

 and other countries, is discussed at lengtb. Many analyses are quoted. 



"A study of all the analyses which have been made in this division reveals the 

 fact that maize is one of the most invariable of the cereals, maintaining under the 

 most different climatic conditions a most remarkable uniformity of composition, and 

 varying chiefly in the size, color, and general physical characteristics of its kernels 

 rather than in their composition." 



Tbe fact that, as shown by analyses, American maize contains less 

 water than European maize is also pointed out. 



The high nutritive value of maize meal is insisted upon. Tbe differ- 

 ent processes of milling are described. Indian-corn flour is discussed 

 at some lengtb. In milling, the outer envelope and germ are removed. 

 Tbis flour has the following percentage composition :' Moisture 12.57 per 

 cent, proteids 7.13 per cent, ether extracts 1.33 per cent, carbo- 

 hydrates 78.30" per cent, crude fiber 0.87 per cent, and ash 0.01 per 

 cent. The heat of combustion as calculated is 3,836.8 calories per 

 pound, and as determined 3,88S.3 calories. 



An extended study of tbe composition and properties of cornstalks 

 is reported. It was found that the nodes formed 20.08 per cent of tbe 

 stalk, the pith of the interuodes 20.25 per cent, and the shells of tbe 

 internodes 53.07 per cent. Tbe composition of the three portions was 

 as follows : 



