760 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



p. 213). — The amount of ammonium sulphate produced in the United Kingdom 

 during 1904 is stated as 244,500 long tons. 



On the method of formation of fossiliferous phosphate of lime of the Prov- 

 ince of Oran, Dion (Sur un mode deformation des phosphates de chaux fossUes de la 

 Province d' Oran. Bordeaux: Sot-Hie de Pharmaciede Bordeaux, 1904; rev. in Rev. Sci. 

 [Paris'], 5. see., 3 (1905), No. 6, p. 1S4). — After discussing various theories of forma- 

 tion, the author concludes that these deposits are formed by the infiltration of phos- 

 phatic solutions derived from bones of animals. 



Note on potash fertilizers, E. Lerodx {Jour. Agr. Prat., n. ser., 9 (1905), No. 4, 

 pp. 116, 117). — Experiments made during 1904 in the Department of Puy-de-D6me 

 on soils rich in potash are briefly reviewed. In all cases the use of potash fertilizers 

 resulted in largely increased yield. 



The action of crude and pure potash salts in the presence of various forms 

 of lime, W. Scuneidewind and O. Ringleben (Landw. Jahrb., 33 (1904), pp. 353- 

 371; abs. in Chem. Centbl., 1904, II, No. 10, p. 789).— With an insufficiency of lime in 

 the soil, kainit was less effective than chlorid or sulphate; otherwise the kainit was 

 more effective than the higher percentage salts. 



Gypsum was injurious to grass mixtures when used with kainit. Oats were not so 

 sensitive, and the yield and starch content of potatoes were increased by applications 

 of gypsum. In a sand mixture poor in potash and of limited volume kainit was as 

 effective as other potash salts. With larger pots and soil somewhat richer in potash 

 the results were more in agreement with those observed in practice. 



The associated salts in kainit were beneficial to cereals and beets. The beneficial 

 effect of sodium salts is not due entirely to their taking the place of potash, since they 

 often increase the yield in cases where there is an excess of potash. It is suggested 

 that this may be due to the solvent and diffusing action of sodium salts on other 

 plant-food constituents. Almost identical amounts of potash were taken up by plants 

 from the different forms used (chlorid, sulphate, kainit). The chlorin of the salts 

 used accumulated in the straw of the cereals and in the leaves and vines of the root 

 crops. 



Magnesium as a manure, II. J. Wiieeler and B. L. Hartwell (Rhode Island 

 Sta. Rpt. 1904, PP- 221-260). — This article reviews the literature of this subject and 

 summarizes the results of pot and field experiments at the Rhode Island Station, 

 which have been in progress since 189G. From the results obtained it appears that 

 "of two lots of soil from the college and station farm one appeared to be benefited 

 by magnesium salts in the presence of liberal amounts of the three essential elements 

 of plant food and in the presence of sufficient calcium carbonate to preclude proba- 

 ble injury' from acidity. Any probable deficiency of magnesia would be covered for 

 many years by a single application of magnesian lime. Occasional applications of 

 wood ashes or double sulphate of potash and magnesia would accomplish the same 

 result. 



"Indications are afforded that certain writers in attempting to explain injury from 

 manures containing magnesia and from magnesium salts, according to Loew's theory 

 of magnesium poisoning, have caused undue alarm as to danger in that specific way 

 in actual farm practice, and, furthermore, many of the observations which have been 

 cited in support of the theory admit of more ready explanation along other lines. 

 It appears to be altogether too early to attempt to state what is the best relation of 

 lime and magnesia for plants, for the reason that plants may, and doubtless do, differ 

 tremendously in this particular, and certain important factors have been frequently 

 ignored which should have been jriven consideration before attempting to draw defi- 

 nite conclusions in this line, even for small groups of plants." 



Investigations on the action of different forms of lime and magnesia, D. 

 Meyer (Landw. Jahrb., 33 (1904), pp. 371-404; abs. in ('hem. Centbl, 1904, II, No. 

 10, pp. 789, 790). — In the pot experiments reported magnesium carbonate and burnt 



