454 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



to 8.91 per cent, averaging 1.02 per cent; the available phosphoric acid from 0.06 

 to 15.50 per cent, averaging 8.50 per cent; the potash from 0.03 to 13.33 per cent, 

 averaging 4.78 per cent. In 62 out of the 377 brands examined the potash was in the 

 form of sulphate free from excess of chlorids. The average amounts of nitrogen, 

 available phosphoric acid, and potash exceeded the guaranteed averages by 0.07 per 

 cent, 0.83 per cent, and 0.23 per cent, respectively. The average retail selling price 

 of the fertilizers was $26.60; the retail cost of the separate ingredients unmixed, 

 $19.64. 



Analyses and valuations of fertilizers, J. P. Street, W. P. Allen, and V. J. 

 Carberry (New Jersey Stas. Rpt. 1903, pp. 19-75). — This is a reprint of Bulletin 168 

 of the station (E. S. R., 15, p. 571) with the addition of a list of manufacturers 

 whose goods were sampled and analyzed during 1903, data relating to the wholesale 

 prices of fertilizing materials in New York during different months of the year 1902 

 and valuations for 1903, and analyses of 6 samples of fertilizers received too late to 

 be included in Bulletin 168. 



Fertilizer analyses, F. W. Robison (Michigan Sta. Bui. 211, pp. 23). — Analyses 

 of fertilizers examined under State laws during 1904 are reported, with notes on the 

 objects of the inspection and on the nature and use of fertilizers and manures. 



Analyses of commercial fertilizers and manurial substances, C. A. Goess- 

 mann (Massachusetts Sta. Bui. 100, pp. 30). — Analyses of samples of commercial 

 fertilizers secured in the course of the regular inspection and of miscellaneous 

 materials sent to the station for examination, including wood ashes, lime ashes, 

 nitrate of soda, cotton-seed meal, dried blood, high-grade sulphate of potash, carbonate 

 of potash, sulphate of potash-magnesia, dissolved boneblack, burned bone, phos- 

 phatic slag, tankage, ground bone, dry ground fish, wool waste, mill waste, factory 

 waste, sheep manure, liquid manure, compound fertilizers, and soils. A schedule of 

 trade values for 1903 and 1904 is given. 



FIELD CROPS. 



Field experiments at Lauchstadt, W. Schneidewind et al. (Landw. Jahrb., 

 33 (1904), No. 2, pp. 165-250, 273-334, pis. 6).— The fifth report of the station pre- 

 senting the results obtained in 1902 and 1903. The results of previous years have 

 been noted (E. S. R., 14, p. 852). 



The average results of 6 years' experiments show that 100 kg. of barnyard manure 

 was worth 1 mark (about $2.50 a ton), its residual effect being included in the valu- 

 ation. The highest yields of beets and potatoes were obtained where the manure 

 was applied with commercial fertilizers. The increase in the yields of roots and 

 tubers due to the manure was greatest when the same was applied without the addi- 

 tion of nitrate of soda, but the highest absolute yields were obtained where the two 

 substances were given together. 



With reference to leaf production, the reverse sometimes takes place. During the 

 seasons favoring the growth of leaves more of the nitrogen in the manure was used 

 by the plants when applied with nitrate of soda than when applied alone. This is 

 attributed to the fact that the nitrate in conjunction with the manure forces the 

 plants and consequently lengthens the vegetative period, which results in a greater 

 nitrogen consumption than where the manure is applied alone. This greater quan- 

 tity of nitrogen is used in increasing the amount of foliage and does not affect the 

 yield of the roots and tubers. For this reason moderate applications of manure with 

 the nitrate of soda in proportion are considered most profitable. The use of about 

 30,000 kg. of manure per hectare is recommended for beets, and from 20,000 to 30,000 

 kg. for potatoes. Fresh manure was not used in these experiments, and the results 

 given, therefore, were not influenced by the action of denitrifying bacteria. 



