EERTILILERS. 



453 



FERTILIZERS. 



Investigations relative to the use of nitrogenous materials, E. B. Voorhees 

 (New Jersey Stas. Rpt. 1003, pp. 148-184)- — This is a report of progress in a series of 

 investigations which has been carried on by the station for several years (E. S. R., 15, 

 p. 128). The questions studied, the methods pursued, and the data recorded are of 

 the same character as in previous investigations. The crop used in the experiments 

 here reported was timothy. 



The relative availability of the different nitrogenous fertilizing materials experi- 

 mented with during the years 1898 to 1902 is summarized in the following table: 



Relative availability of nitrogen in different fertilizing materials. 



In these experiments the analytical study of the nitrogen content of the crop has 

 been supplemented by a study of the nitrogen content of the corresponding soils with 

 a view to determining the income and outgo of nitrogen. The method of taking and 

 treating the soil samples for the determination of nitrogen is described. 



From the results obtained in these studies of the nitrogen content of the soil and 

 of the plant the general conclusion is drawn "that the presence of soluble nitro- 

 gen compounds at the beginning of the season allows a more economical use of the 

 soil nitrogen, and that nitrate is of greater value in this respect than any other form 

 of nitrogen, because of its greater solubility and the greater ease, therefore, with 

 which it diffuses through the soil." 



The use of fertilizers; a review of the results of experiments with nitrate 

 of soda, E. B. Voorhees (Neiv Jersey Stas. Rpt. 1903, pp. 185-214). — A reprint of 

 Bulletin 172 of the station (E. S. R., 16, p. 245). 



Extraction and industrial treatment of Peruvian guano, E. Leplae (Rev. 

 Gen. Agron. [Louvam\, 13 (1904), No. 7-8, pp. 289-320, figs, 13).— The origin of the 

 guano deposits and the history of their exploitation are briefly reviewed. The 

 decline of the industry due to exhaustion of the deposits and a recent revival 

 of interest in the subject due to partial renewal of the deposits and improvement of 

 methods of handling the material are also noted. 



Sulphate of ammonia in agriculture, J. Graftiau (Le sulfate d'ammoniaque 

 en agriculture. Antwerp: Laporte & Dosse, 1904, pp- 79). — A summary of informa- 

 tion regarding the value and use of sulphate of ammonia as a source of nitrogen for 

 different soils and crops. The author believes that when sulphate of ammonia is 

 compared with nitrate of soda under all conditions it is not possible to draw general 

 conclusions as to the superiority of one over the other, much less to establish a for- 

 mula for their relative value. 



Report of analyses of commercial fertilizers for the spring and fall of 

 1903, W. H. Jordan, L. L. Van Slyke, and W. H. Andrews (New York State Sta. Bui. 

 252, pp. 191-268).— The results of analyses of 540 different brands of fertilizers are 

 reported. Of these, 377 were complete fertilizers in which the total nitrogen varied 

 from 0.14 to 8.32 per cent, averaging 2.11 per cent; the water-soluble nitrogen from 



