32 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Marls, H. A. Hustox, W. J. Jones, and A. H. Bryan {Indiana Sta. Rpl. 1900, j)p- 75, 

 77). — The character of the calcareous marls found in Indiana are briefly described 

 and the range in composition of 10 samples of such marls is reported as follows: 



Composition of hididna marls. 



Per cent. 



Moisture 0. 34 to 0.80 



Organic matter 3. 25 to 6. 63 



Insoluble matter 44 to 3. 30 



Carbonate of lime 85. 68 to 92. 74 



Magnesia 98 to 1. 76 



Sulphur trioxid 70 to 1. 02 



Iron and alumina 46 to 1 . 64 



As the analyses show, the value of these marls depends mainly upon their lime 

 content. The utilization of the marls as fertilizer and for the manufacture of cement 

 is discussed. 



Observations on the action of sulphate of ammonia on succeeding crops, 

 E. Kloepfer [Fiihling's Landw. Ztg., 50 {1901), No. 4, pp. 154-158).— The results of 

 a series of plat experiments are reported which indicate that an excess of sulphate of 

 ammonia applied to a croj) is absorbed and retained by the soil and is utilized by the 

 succeeding crop. 



Field experiments ■witli fertilizers, Baessler {Ber. Tluit. Agrchem. Vers. Samen- 

 controhtat. KosUn, 1899, pp. 16-135) .—T\vv% includes detailed accounts of cooperative 

 experiments on typical soils with different crops. In these experiments the fertil- 

 izer requirements of different soils were studied by means of field experiments and 

 by chemical and mechanical analysis. Comparative tests were made of 40 per cent 

 potash salts and kainit. Tests were made of the effect of applying lime and marl 

 and of the Schultz-Lupitz method of fertilizing sandy soils. 



On fertilizer experiments, Behrens {Mili. Deut. Landiv. Gesell., 16 {1901), Nos.4, 

 pp. 14, 15; 5, pp. 17-19; 6, pp. 21, 22). 



Fertilizers for Tennessee, C. A. Mooers {JJn'iv. Tennessee Record, 4 {1901), No. 1, 

 pp. 76-80). — -A brief jjopular discussion. 



Analyses of commercial fertilizers, W. C. Stubbs {Louisiana Stas. Bui. 63, pp. 

 483-576, 592-595). — This bulletin discusses the sources of nitrogen, phosphoric acid, 

 and potash and the valuation of fertilizers, and reports analyses of 1,817 samples of 

 fertilizing materials, including mixed fertilizers, acid phosphates, bone meal, bat 

 guano, tankage, cotton-seed meal, cotton seed, dried l)lood, fish scrap, nitrate of soda, 

 kainit, sulphate of potash, wood ashes, and ground oyster shells. Statistics of the 

 consumption of fertilizers in the different parishes of the State are given. These 

 show that 30,302 tons of fertilizers were sold in the State during the season of 1899-1900. 

 Of this 12,338 tons was tankage. Blanks used in the inspection are given. 



Analyses of licensed comniercial fertilizers, F. W. Woll and A. Vivian 

 ( Wisconsin Sta. Rpt. 1900, pp. 257-260, 336, 337). — A report of analyses of 7 samples 

 of fertilizers examined during the year, with notes on the fertilizer inspection in 

 Wisconsin and the text of the State fertilizer law. 



Perclilorate in nitrate of soda, T. Wetzke {Oesterr. Chem. Zfr/., 4 {1901), No. 

 4, p). S3). — The author takes exception to Dafert's conclusion (E. S. R., 12, p. 325) 

 that perchlorate was not a common impurity of nitrate of soda until within recent 

 years. He reports finding perchlorate in 8 samples of museum specimens of caliche 

 which he examined by the following method: The chlorin was removed with silver 

 nitrate and the excess of the latter with sodium carbonate. The filtered solution 

 was evaporated to dryness and the residue fused and dissolved in water. The solu- 

 tion was acidified with nitric acid and tested with silver nitrate for chlorin. The 

 appearance of a precipitate or cloudiness was taken to indicate the presence of per- 

 chlorate or chlorate. Dafert in a note on the above article calls attention to the fact 



