FERTILIZERS. 349 



on the meadow, oilier observations indicated that the ground water level was 

 reached in the meadow soil at a depth of 140 cm., but was lower in the woods soil. — 



P. FIREMAN. 



Alkali and the treatment of alkali lands, .1. S. Burd {Idaho Sta. Bui. 44, pp. 

 355-367). — A popular compilation of information on this subject preliminary to an 

 alkali survey of the State. 



FERTILIZERS. 



The fertilizing- value of human excrement, J. Sebblien (Jour. Landw., 52 

 (1904), No. 3, }>]>. 291-300, pi. 1). — An account is here given of pot experiments dur- 

 ing 1902 and 1903 on oats grown in soil containing very little humus and nitrogen. 

 In one series of experiments solid excrement, mixed with ground peat and kept for 

 a few weeks before application, was used. In another series, urine, which had been 

 kept for a few weeks and allowed to ferment, was experimented with. 



The results of the 2 years' experiments on the same soil show that while the urine 

 showed little fertilizing value, the solid excrement was more effective than nitrate 

 of soda alone, thus demonstrating not only a high efficiency for the nitrogen, but 

 also that feces are of considerable value as a source of phosphoric acid (and possibly 

 of potash). The solid excrement was much more effective than the manure of 

 ordinary domestic animals. 



On an improved method of producing concentrated manure from human 

 refuse, T. MACFARLANE ( [PfOC. ami Trims. Roy. Sod. Canada, 2. kit., 8 (1902), Sec. Ill, 

 l>li. 87-95, dgm. 1). — A closet of special construction in which dried peat moss is used 

 as an absorbent is described and the fertilizing value of the product obtained by 

 repeated use of the moss and the dried mixture of moss and excrement is discussed. 

 By the method described a minimum amount of absorbent (not more than one-twen- 

 tieth of the resulting manure) is used and a product obtained, one sample of which, 

 in the air-dry condition, contained 3.16 per cent of nitrogen (2.42 per cent as 

 ammonia ), 2.52 per cent of phosphoric acid, and 0.65 per cent of potash. With the" 

 addition of preservative substances — superphosphate, sulphate of potash, and gyp- 

 sum — products of still higher fertilizing value were obtained. 



Salt as a garden fertilizer, Giersberg (Dent. Landw. Presse, 31 (1904), No. 54, 

 p. 482; Jour. Agr. Prat., n. ser., 8 (1904), No. 28, pp. 37, 38).— This is a brief discus- 

 sion of the value and use of salt as a fertilizer for vegetables and fruits, in which it is 

 shown that this substance has a certain indirect effect in improving the quality of 

 such crops. The maximum amount recommended for fruit trees is J to j lb. per 

 tree, according to size, and for vegetables 150 to 200 lbs. per acre. 



Analyses of commercial fertilizers, II. J. Wheeler, B. L. Hartwell, and 

 J. W. Kellogg (Rhode Island Sta. Bui. 101, pp. 151-160). — "This bulletin contains 

 the analyses of such of the commercial fertilizers found on sale in Rhode Island in 

 19<)4 as were branded especially for potatoes and vegetables. It also contains analyses 

 of samples of bone, tankage, muriate of potash, and nitrate of soda," and notes on 

 valuation. 



Report on official inspection of commercial fertilizers and agricultural 

 chemicals during the season of 1903, ('. A. Goessmann {Massachusetts Sta. lijit. 

 1903, pp. 87-97). — A brief summary of the work of the year, containing a table show- 

 ing the average composition of the fertilizers examined and a list of licensed dealers 

 in fertilizers. 



Fertilizer inspection, C. D. Woods and J. M. Bartlett (Maine Sta. Bui. 105, )>p. 

 101-112). — "This bulletin contains the analyses of samples collected by the station 

 of the brands of fertilizers licensed in 1904." 



