FERTILIZERS. 749 



Landw., 50 {1902), No. 4, pp. 30S-32-2). — The article reviews recent contributions by 

 other investiu;ators to tliis subject, and reports a continuation of tlie experiments of 

 the authors (E. B. R., 10, p. 1033). The conchision is reached that the yield and 

 composition of the plant substance is so influenced by meteorological conditions that 

 I)lant analysis alone is of little practical value in determining the fertilizer require- 

 ments. 



Root-tubercle bacteria in their relation to soils and fertilizers, Wohltmann 

 and BEKCiENE {.Tom: Laiuhr., 50 {1902), No. 4, PP- 377-395). — Pot experiments are 

 reported with jieas on 11 different kinds of soils, one series of which was unfertilized 

 and other series fertilized with ammonium nitrate, Thomas slag, and potassium phos- 

 phate. The composition of the soils and data regarding tlie development of root 

 tubercles on the plants are reported in detail. The uncultivated soils were found to 

 be poor in tubercle bacteria; a fair proportion of humus favore<l tuliercle development, 

 but there was little or no tu])ercle development in soils very rich in hymus; excluding 

 the moor soils, the nitrogen content appeared to be without influence on tubercle 

 development; on all soils no tubercles were produced when ammonium nitrate was 

 applied. Potash, phosphoric acid, and lime favored the production of root tubercles. 



Bacteria of the soil in their relation to agriculture, F. D. Chester {Pevn- 

 sylrnnia Dcpt. Agr. Bid. 9S, pp. 88, ph. 9). — This is a summary of present information 

 on this sul)ject, to which is added an extended bibliography. (See also E. S. R., 10, 

 p. 334; 11, p. 435; 12, p. 729; 14, p. 232.) 



FERTILIZERS. 



Fertilizers {TireJfth Censun United States, Census Rpts., vol. 5 {Agriculture, j>t. 1), 

 pp. CXXXYI-CXIjII). — This article discusses the history and the general theory of 

 the use of fertilizers, in addition to giving statistics of use. The total expenditure for 

 fertilizers in the United States in 1899 is given as $54,783,757, or |10 per farm, 7 cts. 

 per acre of farm land, and 1.2 per cent of the total value of farm products. The 

 expenditure was distributed as follows: North Atlantic States, $15,641,995; South 

 Atlantic States, $22,732,670; North Central States, $7,273,695; South Central States, 

 $6,711,824; Western States, $1,070,726; and Hawaii, $1,352,847. The outlay for ferti- 

 lizers has, according to these figures, increased 42.4 \>ev cent since 1890. "Of the farms 

 classified by principal source of income, sugar farms reported expenditures greatly in 

 excess of those of other farms. The average for all farms was only $10, while that 

 for sugar farms was $280. The next largest expenditure was $69, for nurseries; flor- 

 ist's establishments expended $51; vegetable farms, $38; tobacco farms, $27; fruit 

 farms, $22; rice farms, $13; and coffee, cotton, and dairy farms, $11. The lowest 

 averages reported were $6 for hay and grain farms, and $5 for live stock and taro 

 farms. . . . The average expenditure per acre was greatest for farms of cash and 

 share tenants and least for farms of part owners and managers. The average per 

 farm was greatest for farms of managers and least for those of part owners and share 

 tenants. The percentage of the value of products expended for fertilizers was largest 

 for farms of managers and least for those of part owners." 



Analyses and valuations of fertilizers, L. A. Vooriiees and J. P. Street {New 

 Jersey Stus. Bid. 163, pp. 55). — This bulletin discusses the trade values of fertilizing 

 ingredients in 1902; the cost, valuation, purchase, and guaranteed and actual com- 

 position of fertilizers, home mixtures, and special fertilizers; and reports the results 

 of examination of 60 samples of standard unmixed fertilizing materials, 391 brands 

 of complete fertilizers representing 95 manufacturers, 26 samples of ground bone, and 

 48 samples of miscellaneous products. In addition there are reported the analyses 

 of 3 samjiles of home mixtures and 20 samples of mixtures especially compounded 

 by manufacturers to order. The materials included, in addition to the mixed ferti- 



