634 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Studies on the agricultural value of Damara and Peruvian guano, C 



ScHREiBER {Ber. Gm. Agrov. [Louvain:], JO {1901), No. 8-9, pp. -JJ.J-.J.S'i).— Compar- 

 ative tests of these 2 guanos on different crops grown on clayey and sandy soils are 

 reported. The composition of the guanos used was as follows: Ammoniacal nitrogen — 

 Damara guano, 4.34 per cent, Peruvian guano, 1.62 percent; nitric nitrogen — Damara 

 guano, 0.26 per cent, Peruvian guano, traces; organic nitrogen — Damara guano, 2.52, 

 Peruvian guano, 0.51; phosphoric acid soluble in water — Damara guano, 5.76, Peru- 

 vian guano, 1.21; soluble in alkaline citrate — Damara guano, 3.20, Peruvian guano, 

 2.82; potash — Damara guano, 3.06, Peruvian guano, 1.05. The results of the experi- 

 ments show that the Damara guano was a very effective fertilizer and its action in the 

 soil was quite rapid. This was true botli of the nitrogen and of the phosphoric acid 

 which it contained, and while it appeared to be suited especially to sandy soils, it 

 also gave good results on clay soils. The Peruvian guano, on the other hand, was 

 almost without effect on the heavy soils, while producing good results on the sandy 

 soils. 



Bone products and manures, T. Lambert {London: Scott Greenivood & Co., 1901, 

 pp. VIII-\-162, figs. 17). — An attempt is made in this book to give " a practical and 

 comprehensive account" of the modern method of fat extraction and the manufacture 

 of glue, size, gelatin, boneblack, manures, etc., from bone. There is also included a 

 discussion of fertilizers in general, with some account of methods of analysis, especial 

 attention being given to bone and its products. Tables of weights and measures, a 

 description of a vacuum pan, and a comparison of French and British gelatins are 

 given in appendixes. 



The value of meadow muck, F. W. Morse {Neiv Hampshire Sta. Bui. 83, pp. 

 53-56). — This bulletin discusses the comparative values of meadow muck and barn- 

 yard manure, based on data taken from the work of the experiment stations. Basing 

 this comparison on the fertilizing constituents, it appears that 1 cord (3 tons) of 

 manure is worth SJ cords of muck, while on the basis of organic matter a cord of 

 manure is equivalent to I5 cords of muck. The variable character of muck is pointed 

 out and farmers are advised to send samples to the station for examination before 

 undertaking its use. 



Green manuring, P. H. Greg {Jour. Jamaica Agr. Soc, 5 {1901), No. 11, pp. 

 436-440). — In this article the author argues that green manuring is not a profitable 

 practice for the sugar planter in Jamaica. 



The agricultural value of the nitrogen in the black substance of the phos- 

 phates of the Pyrenees, J. Joffre {Bui. Soc. CJdm. Paris, 3. ser., 25 {1901), No. 22, 

 pp. 960, 961). — Pot experiments are reported in which this material (see E. S. R., 

 10, p. 833) w^as compared with nitrate of soda, sulphate of ammonia, dried blood, 

 and coal. The phosphate used contained 0.14 per cent of nitrogen. All of the pots 

 received the same amount of potash, and in case of the pots not receiving the 

 Pyrenees phosphate, the projjortion of phosphoric acid was made up by the addi- 

 tion of other insoluble phosphates. Under these conditions the nitrogenous organic 

 matter of the Pyrenees phosphate behaved like the coal; that is, there was no 

 increase of crop due to its- use. 



Fertilizer experiments with 40 per cent potash salts, A. Baumann ( Vrtljschr. 

 Bayer. Landw, Rath., 6 {1901), No. 2, Sup., pp. 461-475). — Experiments carried out 

 by the Bavarian moor culture station since 1894 on moor soils are reported. In these 

 experiments the concentrated (40 per cent) potash salt was compared with kainit 

 and other potash fertilizers on potatoes. Tlie results are not conclusive. 



The use of chemical fertilizers in the Alps, C. Dusserre and E. Chuard ( Chron. 

 Agr. Canton Vaud, 14 {1901), No. 19, pp. 479-484). — Experiments on hay meadows 

 with Thomas slag alone and mixed with kainit, each 1,000 kg. per hectare, at an 

 altitude of 1,280 meters (4,199.47 ft.) in the Alps are reported. The results indicate 

 the profitableness ot the use of fertilizers imder such conditions. 



