FERTILIZERS. 1033 



In the field experiments plats I square meters in area were used. In 

 each plat 16 holes were made at regular intervals to depths of from 30 

 to 50 cm. and 25 cc. of carbon bisulphid applied in each hole. 



Experiments to determine the fertilizer requirements of soils, 

 G. Liebscher ET AL. (Jour. Landw., 46 (1898), Xo. 4, pp. 319-412). — 

 This is an account of a continuation by Edler, Kretschmer, von Seel- 

 horst, and J. Wilms of experiments planned by G. Liebscher (E. S. R., 

 7, p. 604) to determine the fertilizer requirements of soils by means of 

 field and pot tests, the latter accompanied by analyses of the soils and 

 plants. 



The results of field experiments with fertilizers in a number of differ- 

 ent localities in 1895 were inconclusive, it being impossible to deter- 

 mine whether the differences observed were due to the fertilizers used 

 or to variations in the other conditions. When, however, tests were 

 made with the different soils in pots accompanied by a study of the 

 composition of the soil and of the crop produced, more definite results 

 were obtained. It was found in this case that, under like conditions 

 of culture, heat, moisture, etc., plant analysis furnished a reliable means 

 of judging of the fertilizer requirements of the soil. It is considered 

 more reliable for this purpose than soil analysis, although the latter fur- 

 nishes useful data. The conditions in pot experiments vary so widely 

 from those which obtain in the field that, in the authors' opinion, there 

 is a question whether the composition of the plants grown in the field 

 would not differ materially from that of plants grown in pots. It 

 was found in many cases that the potash content of the crop was 

 increased by applications of phosphoric acid, although the opposite 

 was rarely true. The results farther show that a constituent which 

 was in relative excess in the soil was also found in excess in the crop. 



Barnyard manure, F. T. Shutt {Canada Cent. Espt. Farm Bui. 31, pp. 29, pi. 1). — 

 This is a popular article on the nature, functions, composition, fermentations, preser- 

 vation, and application of barnyard manure based to a large extent on investigations 

 made by the author and his associates. 



Report of analyses of commercial fertilizers for the fall of 1898, L. L. Van 

 Slyke (New York Slate Sta. Bui. US, pp. 199-225). — The results of analyses of 162 

 different brands of fertilizers are reported and the composition and quality of the 

 different fertilizers ottered for sale in the State during the year 1898 are discussed. 

 Of the 162 brands examined, 111 were complete fertilizers. In these the nitrogen 

 varied from 0.46 to 4.69 per cent, averaging 1.67 per cent; the available phosphoric 

 acid varied from 4.77 to 13.45 per cent, averaging 9.27 per cent; the potash varied 

 from 36 to 10.43 per cent, averaging 4.36 per cent. The average amounts of nitro- 

 gen, available phosphoric acid, and potash exceeded the guaranteed average by 0.16, 

 0.96, and 0.26 per cent, respectively. 



Analyses of fertilizers, C. A. Goessmann* (Massachusetts Hatch. Sta. Bui. ~>7, 

 pp. 24).— The bulletin contains analyses of 57 samples of fertilizing materials sent to 

 the station for examination and 127 brands of commercial fertilizers collected during 

 1898. The fertilizing materials analyzed include wood ashes, limekiln ashes, peach- 

 twig ashes, potatoes, clover hay, tobacco stems, hop refuse, dried blood, peat, sul- 

 phate of ammouia, sulphate of potash and magnesia, tankage, bone meal, barnyard 

 manure, sewage, and complete fertilizers. A schedule of trade values for 1898 is 

 given. 



