19171 



SOILS FERTILIZERS. 817 



" The ratio of total soluble salts to ttie quantity of sodium nitrate found in 

 a cropped soil rose from 24.5 : 1 witliout irrigation to 37.5 : 1 wlien 40 in. 

 of water were used. The ratio in fallow soil increased from 8.9 : 1 with no 

 irrigation water to 16.2 ; 1 with 40 in. 



" The field results do not indicate a close relationship between the crop 

 yield and the total soluble-salt or the nitrate content of the soil if the difEer- 

 ences between cropped and fallow soils indicate the amounts of these substances 

 which the crop used." 



It is considered evident from these results " that the soluble salts and espe- 

 cially the nitrates are found in lower concentrations In soils receiving large 

 quantities of irrigation water than in those receiving less water." 



Seventeen references to literature bearing on the subject are appended. 



The influence of bacteria in manure on the decomposition of green manure 

 (legume and nonlegume), J. G. Lipman and A. W. Blaik {New Jersey Stas. 

 Rpt. 1915, pp. 22S-229, pi. 1). — This )S an account of a continuation of experi- 

 ments previously described (E. S. R., 34, p. 129), in which cow manure was used. 



It was found that manure has " an influence aside from any effect which may 

 be attributed to fertilizing constituents which it contains. While there is not 

 positive proof that this beneficial effect is due to the more thorough decomposition 

 of organic matter by bacteria introduction in the manure, such a conclusion 

 seems fairly warranted. Witliout exception the yields of grain and nitrogen 

 were greater on the legume section than on the nonlegume section." 



Farm manures, R. B. Dustman (W. Va. Col. Agr. Ext. Dept. Circ. 97 {1916), 

 pp. 16, figs. 4). — This is a circular of popular information on the proper con- 

 servation and use of farm manures, based on a summary of experimental evi- 

 dence obtained from a number of the State experiment stations. 



Report on the fertilizer industry, August 19, 1916 {U. S. Fed. Trade Com., 

 Rpt. Pert. Indus., 1916, pp. XX-\-269, pis. iO).— This report deals with the pro- 

 duction and sale of various forms of nitrogenous fertilizers, phosphates, potash 

 salts, and mixed fertilizers, and also with wholesale prices and farmers' prices 

 of fertilizers. The figures on which the report is based do not, as a rule, cover 

 a later period than the year 1914. It is estimated that the total value of ferti- 

 lizers consumed in that year was in excess of $150,000,000. Of the approxi- 

 mately 7,500,000 tons of fertilizer consumed 6,750,000 tons, or 80 per cent, were 

 mixed goods. 



" Most of the fertilizers used in this country are purchased in mixed form 

 and not in the form of materials. In the mixed fertilizer industry there are 

 about 800 concerns operating some 1.200 plants, but the seven largest companies, 

 with their numerous subsidiary and affiliated concerns, control more than 58 

 per cent of the total output. The two largest sell annually over a million tons 

 each, and in the aggregate about 34 per cent of the total output." The combined 

 statement of earnings and expenses of four large fertilizer companies for the 

 period 1910 to 1914 " shows that while net sales increased 42 per cent, total 

 expense increased 54 per cent and profits decreased 18 per cent. The increase 

 in manufacturing cost and selling expense was about equal." 



The report states " that the price movements of materials, except potash salts, 

 are controlled fundamentally by conditions of supply and demand. The prices 

 of nitrate of soda and sulphate of ammonia are considerably influenced by con- 

 ditions in the European beet-sugar industry, while the prices of the organic 

 ammoniates are affected largely by domestic crop conditions. Cottonseed meal 

 prices usually follow the trend of corn prices and influence the course of prices 

 of the other organic ammoniates — tankage, dried blood, and fish scrap. As a 

 result of these factors the trend of prices of the inorganic and the organic 

 nitrogenous materials show little relation to each other. The prices of nitrate of 



