1917] SOILS FERTILIZERS. 821 



since 1897. the results of which, up to 1913, have been previously reported 

 (E. S. R., 31, p. 217). 



It is concluded " that raw phosphate rock may be used with profit on land 

 that Is materially deficient in available phosphorus, but as a rule acid phos- 

 phate has proved to be not only a more effective but also a more economical 

 carrier of phosphorus to crops under conditions which render the freight 

 charges a relatively large part of the cost of the fertilizer. Where a different 

 outcome has resulted it is usually found that one or both of the phosphate 

 carriers have been used in such large quantity as to furnish more available 

 phosphorus than the crops were able to utilize, thus making a comparative 

 measurement of the effect of the two carriers impossible." 



Sulphur oxidation in soils and its effect on the availability of mineral 

 phosphates, J. G. Lipman, H. C. McLean, and H. C. Lint {Soil Sci., 2 {1916), 

 No. 6, pp. 499-538, figs. 5). — The literature of investigations bearing on this sub- 

 ject is reviewed, and experiments in which sea sand, loam, and greenhouse 

 sou were composted with manure, sulphur, and floats and analyzed periodically 

 for acidity and available phosphoric acid are reported. 



The results of the experiments show that in all cases considerable acidity was 

 produced as a result of the oxidation of the sulphur, and the availability of 

 the phosphoric acid of the floats was thus markedly increased. The process 

 was most rapid in the case of the greenhouse soil, which was rich In nitrogen 

 and mineral plant food as well as organic matter. The sulfofication increased 

 with the period of Incubation and with conditions favoring the activity of the 

 sulfofying organisms. The data obtained indicate " that In compostng under 

 farm conditions, one part of sulphur and two parts of floats may constitute a 

 satisfactory combination for the production of available phosphoric acid." 



A bibllogi-aphy of 56 references to literature bearing on the subject is given. 



The action of calcium carbonate on acid phosphate, E. W. Mageudeb {Jour. 

 Indus, and Engin. Chein., 9 {1917), No. 2, pp. 155, i56).— This article has been 

 previously noted (E. S. R., 36, p. 325). 



Value of the calcium phosphates in the vicinity of Monterey [Mexico], 

 T. Flokes {Mem. y Rev. Sac. Cient. "Antonio Alzate," 84 {1916), No. 10, pp. 

 351-362, pis. 6). — This is a brief discussion of these phosphates. 



Phosphates and phosphatic marls, L. Heimbuegeb {Fla. Quart. Bui. Dept. 

 Agr., 27 {1917). No. 1, pp. i75-J77).— Analyses of 12 samples of Florida phos- 

 phates and phosphatic marls are reported. 



Limestone marls and shells, L. Heimbuegeb {Fla. Quart. Bui. Dept. Agr., 

 27 {1917), No. 1, pp. i 77-i 85). —Analyses of 61 samples of Florida limestone 

 marls and shells are reported. 



Preliminary report on the marls and limestone of Mississippi, W. N. 

 Logan {Miss. Geol. Survey Bui. IS {1916), pp. 82, figs, ii).— This report dis- 

 cusses the limestones and marls of Mississippi by counties and gives analyses 

 of samples from each county. 



Agricultural lime analyses, H. J. Patterson and H. B. McDonnell {Md. 

 Agr. Col. Quart., No. 74 {1916), pp. i5).— Actual and guarantied analyses of 

 129 samples of limes and limestone and mechanical analyses of 15 samples of 

 ground limestone and oyster shells collected for inspection in Maryland from 

 July, 1915, to October, 1916, inclusive, are reported together with general in- 

 formation on the kinds and use of agricultural lime. 



Cost of crushing limestone on the farm, V. Hebbon {Ohio Sta. Bui. SOS 

 {1916), p. 128). — The total cost of crushing limestone with h portable limestone 

 crusher at the Clermont County farm was found to be $2.40 per ton as against 

 n purchase price for ground limestone, including freight and hauling, of $2.89 

 per ton. 



