520 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol.36 



the magnesia plat was darker in color, stronger, and better tillered out than 

 on the untreated plat. The total yield was also greater on the magnesia plat. 

 On plats of previous experiments, it was found that the wheat crop showed 

 after three years a slight advantage from the application of magnesia. 



The influence of strontium salts on wheat, J. A. Voelcker {Wobum Expt. 

 Sta. Rpt. 1915, pp. 30-37, pis. 2; Jour. Roy Agr. Soc. EmiJand, 76 (1915), pp. 

 34^-351, pis. 2). — Experiments on the influence of the sulphate, nitrate, hydrate, 

 chlorid, and carbonate of strontium on wheat in light unproductive soil when 

 added in amounts equivalent to 0.05 and 0.1 per cent of strontium are reported. 



It is concluded that " strontium in the form of the sulphate, the hydrate, 

 and the carbonate, is, when given up to 0.1 per cent, practically without effect 

 either on the germination of the seed or the increase of the crop. Strontium 

 used in the form of nitrate produces an increase of crop, but this can not be 

 attributed to the presence of strontium. Strontium applied as chlorid has a 

 retarding effect on germination and, when used in quantity approaching 0.1 

 per cent of strontium, has a distinctly toxic effect." 



Experiments on the influence of boric acid and borax on wheat when added 

 in amounts equivalent to 0.1, 0.05, 0.02, 0.01, 0.005, 0.001, 0.0005, 0.00025, and 

 0.0001 per cent of boron and on barley when added in amounts equivalent to 

 from 0.001 to 0.0001 per cent boron are also reported. It is concluded that 

 " germination is retarded when over 0.003 per cent of boron is used, and even 

 0.001 per cent, more especially with borax, seems to delay germination. Over 

 0.001 per cent of boron, either as boric acid or borax will prevent plants from 

 developing and forming grain. A toxic influence is shown with 0.0005 per cent 

 of boron, but with quantities not exceeding 0.00025 per cent there is a slightly 

 stimulating effect. The effects generally are more marked with borax than 

 with boric acid." 



Action of manganese, iron, and copper on the growth of plants, H. Vageler 

 (Landw. Vers. Stat., 88 {1916), pp. 159-242; abs. in Jour. Chem. Soc. [Londoni, 

 110 (1916), No. 6U, I, p. 457; Chem. Abs., 10 (1916), No. 20, p. 2609).— Water 

 culture experiments with oats, lupines, and beans, pot experiments with oats 

 and lupines, and field experiments with oats are reported. 



" In the water cultures the amounts of manganese sulphate, iron sulphate, 

 and copper sulphate employed were, respectively, 0.482, 0.556, and 0.042 gm. 

 per liter. No stimulating effects were observed in the water-culture experi- 

 ments, and addition of calcium and sodium chlorids failed to diminish the 

 poisonous effects, which were much the greatest in the case of copper sulphate. 

 Beans were much less sensitive to copper than oats. In the pot experiments 

 iron and copper slightly reduced the yield of oats, especially in sand, while 

 manganese had no effect either in sand or in loam. Lupines were benefited 

 both by iron and copper but not by manganese. In the field experiments the 

 three metals had practically no effect." 



Concerning the use of commercial fertilizers in 1916 (Vermont Sta. Circ. 

 10 (1915), pp. 16). — This is a summary of the opinions expressed at a meet- 

 ing of the directors of the experiment stations of the North Atlantic States as 

 to the best procedure in maintaining soil fertility in those States in view of the 

 present abnormal fertilizer situation. 



Analyses of commercial fertilizers (New York State Sta. Bui. 425 (1916), 

 pp. 413-471). — This bulletin gives the results of analyses by the station of 

 samples of fertilizers collected by the commissioner of agriculture of New 

 York during 1916. Attention is called to the fact that because of the abnormal 

 trade conditions no attempt is made to give approximate commercial valuations 

 of the fertilizers. 



