FERTILIZERS. 757 



On the cultivation of the soil, Tancui^ {FiihUuij's hvidw. Zig., 46 (IS97), Xo.4, 

 pp. DS-105). 



Moors and moor culture in Bavaria, A. Baumann {Foratl. iiaturiv. Ztxclir., 6, 

 {1897), Xo. 2, pp. 69-89). 



FERTILIZERS. 



Some Pennsylvania peats, W. Frear and E. J. Haley {Penmyl- 

 vania Std. Ept. 1S9'), pp. 11^-150). — The character, extent, and reclama- 

 tion of peat bogs in the State are discussed and analyses of 13 sanij)les 

 with directions for use as fertilizers are given. In the dry matter of 

 the samples examined the ash ranged from 5.3 to 95.54 i)er cent, nitro- 

 gen from 0.12 to 3.42 per cent, phosphoric acid from 0.10 to 0.89 per 

 cent, potash from 0.05 to 1.96 per cent, lime from 0.88 to 11.62 per cent. 



"In general, it may be said that to buy the nitrogen, phosphoric acid, and potash 

 present in a ton of the dry matter of these peats, even buying the cheai^est materials 

 rated good, would reqnire, without considering bagging, freight, and commission, 

 from $2.50 to over $15. 



"These data show that we possess in this Htate many peat beds whose economical 

 use is well worth the most careful consideration, despite the great cost of handling 

 fertilizers so bulky and dilute. ... If the peat already contains considerable silt 

 rich in lime, all it needs is to be thrown up in heaps to drain and allowed to stand 

 exposed to the air, the longer if lower oxids of iron and sulphids are present. 



"If, however, as is commonly the case, lime salts are deticieut, the muck must be 

 composted.' 



Directions are given for making alkaline composts and composts 

 with stable manure. 



Investigations on the foraging po-wers of some agricultural 

 plants for phosphoric acid, L. H. Merrill and W. H. Jordan 

 [Maine Sta. Ept. 1895, pp. 10-18, pis. 5, Jig. 1). — This is a continuation 

 of work begun in 1893 (E. S. E., 6, p. 700). The plan of the experiment 

 was the same as that x^reviously followed. The phosphates compared 

 were (1) acidulated Florida rock (14.97 per cent soluble phosphoric acid, 

 16.9 available, 3.7 insoluble); (2) crude, finely ground Florida rock 

 (32.88 per cent phosphoric acid) ; and (3) phosphate of iron and alumina 

 (49.58 per cent of phosphoric acid, 42.77 per cent soluble in ammonium 

 citrate). 



"Eight species of plants were chosen, representing 4 orders: Peas and clover 

 (Legumiuoste), turnips and ruta-bagas (Cruciferie), barley and corn (Graminea'), and 

 tomatoes and potatoes (Solauacea"). 



"Ninety-six boxes were used, 12 for each kind of plant. In the first box the acid 

 rock was used; in the second, the crude rock; in the third, the phosphate of iron 

 and alumina; in the fourth, no phosphate. The next 4 boxes were treated in the 

 same manner, and so on to the end. Thus it will be seen that for each kind of plant 

 there were 3 boxes which received the same treatment. 



"Twenty grams of the crude Florida rock, containing 6.57(5 gm. total phosphoric 

 acid, were used for a single box. Of the other phosphates such (juantitics were used 

 as contained the same total amount, ().576 gm., of phosphoric acid. 



"To each box were also added 10 gin. sodium nitrate, 5 gm. potassium chlorid, 

 aud 5 gm. magnesium suliihate. To the boxes containing the phosphate of iron 



