FERTILIZERS. 825 



careous and noncalcareous soils. On the former muriate of potash is used as a source 

 of potash and phosphoric acid is used in the form of superphosphate. For the lat- 

 ter sulphate of potash and precipitated phosphate are considered best. The organic 

 forms of nitrogen may he used more freely on calcareous soils than on the noncal- 

 careous soils. In the latter case nitrate of soda and sulphate of ammonia in con- 

 nection with gypsum are recommended. 



Recent investigations on the nitrogen of barnyard manure, E. Haselhofp 

 {Landic. Ztg., Westfalen u. Lippe, 55 {1808), Xos. 2, pp. 14-16; 3, pp. 21, 22).— A brief 

 summary of the conclusions of Wagner, Maercker, Kiihn, and others. 



Swamp muck and pond muds, F. T. Shutt {Canada Expt. Farms Rpts. 1896, pp. 

 189-195). — Analyses of 11 samples of muck and 4 samples of pond mud are reported 

 and various suggestions regarding the composting and use of these materials are 

 given. 



The utilization of town sewage by irrigation, E. Haselhoff {Landic. Ztg., 

 Westfalen u. Lippe, 55 {1898), No. 5, pp. 88-40). — The amount of phosphoric acid, 

 potash, and nitrogen furnished by sewage and that required by different crops are 

 discussed. 



The importance and the utilization of town waste, E. Haselhoff | Landiv. Z.tg., 

 TYesffalen u. LAppe, 54 {1897), No. 51, pp. 442-44--). — A popular discussion of the fer- 

 tilizing value of night soil, sweepings, refuse from slaughterhouses and cattle yards 

 and from flayers' establishments {abd, <■!,, n I). 



Clovers as green manures, F. T. Shutt {Canada Expt. Farms Rpts. 1806, pp. 196- 

 200, figs. 4). — Data relating to the yield and composition of crimson clover, red 

 clover (medium and mammoth), and alfalfa are reported, and notes are given on the 

 assimilation of nitrogen by legumes. 



Insuring the action of fertilizers on light soils, Vibrans (Jahrb. Dent. Landw. 

 Gesell., 12 {1897), pp. 10-15). — A popular discussion of this subject. 



Utah guano, J. 1). Widtsoe {Utah Sta. Bpt. 1897, p. SO). — Analyses are given of 2 

 samples of Utah guano. It has about the same potash and phosphoric acid content 

 as Peruvian guano, but much less nitrogen. 



Analyses of fertilizing materials, F. T. Shutt {Canada Expt. Farms Rpts. 1896, 

 pp. 201-20"). — Analyses of 2 samples of wood ashes, 3 of garbage ashes, 1 of bran 

 ashes, 1 of broken oyster shells, and 3 of fish meal are reported, and a eompilatiou 

 of analyses of the principal fertilizing materials is given. 



By digesting in 1 per cent citric acid it was found "that 43 per cent of the phos- 

 phoric acid and 66 per cent of the potash in maple ashes were brought into solution, 

 and that basswood ashes by this method yielded 22 per cent of their phosphoric- 

 acid and 60 per cent of the potash." 



Tabulated analyses of commercial fertilizers, T. J. Edge and W. Frear (Penn- 

 sylvania Dept. Agr. Bid. S3, pp. 42). — This bulletin contains the text of the State fer- 

 tilizer law, notes on valuation of fertilizers, and tabulated analyses and valuations 

 of 603 samples of fertilizers examined during the period from August 1, 1897, to 

 January 1, 1898. 



Analyses of miscellaneous fertilizers, J. L. Hills, B. O. White, and C. H. 

 Jones {Vermont Sta. Rpt. 1S96-97, pp. 28-30).— Analyses of 61 samples of fertilizing 

 materials, including home-mixed and factory-mixed fertilizers, acid phosphates, 

 ground bone, nitrate of soda, tankage, muriate and sulphate of potash, wood ashes, 

 limekiln ashes, crematory ashes, cotton waste, and muck are reported. In 11 sam- 

 ples of wood ashes examined the soluble potash varied from 2.45 to 8.21 per cent and 

 the phosphoric acid from 1.08 to 5 per cent. 



A product similar to Chile saltpeter from Southwest Africa, II. Thoms (Jour. 

 Landic, 45 {1897), No. 3-4, pp. 263, 264). — Analysis of a product found as an efflores- 

 cence on stones, especially of overhanging cliffs, and used by the inhabitants in the 

 treatment of a variety of diseases, showed it to be an impure nitrate of soda, the 

 impurities consisting principally of sodium and potassium chlorids, potassium and 

 calcium sulphates, silica, and iron oxid. 

 16436— No. 9 3 



