FERTILIZERS. 985 



were much more effective on the latter. This is ast-ril)ed to the acid character of the 

 podzol soils. With regard to the use of ]>hosphatic fertilizers soils are divide<l into 

 4 groups, as follows: (1) Those which are rich in assimilable i)hosphoric acid and 

 do not respond to phosphatic fertilizers; (2) those containing little, easily assimila- 

 ble ])hosphoricacid, but well supplied with other mineral constituents on which min- 

 eral phosphates increase the yield of cereals but not that of buckwheat, lupines, etc. ; 

 {',i) those generally <lelicient in phosphoric acid but not of acid jiroperties, on which 

 soluble jdiosphoric acid increases the yield of all jjlants but mineral phosphates are 

 effective only on buckwheat, lupines, and similar crops; (4) soils generally deficient 

 in phosphoric acid jyid decidedly acid in character, on which all phosphates, includ- 

 ing mineral phosphates, increase the yield of all crops. Ammonium salts in con- 

 nection with the mineral phosphates were very effective in increasing the yield but 

 proved injurious when used with solul)le phosphates. 



The creator of the superphosphate industry and the "work at Rothamsted, 

 .^Iaizikues (UEiiijniis, 17 ( inO.^), Xo. S, pp. ISS, 184, tigx. ~^).— A brief sketch of the 

 life and work of Sir John Beiuict r.,awes, esijecially the exi)eriments in continuous 

 culture with chemical fertilizers alone. 



Phosphates in Algeria and Tunis, Maizieres [U Engrais, 17 {1902), No. 9, pp. 

 70t;-,'f/S).—X brief account of the various phosphate deposits in these countries. 



Pot experiments with nitrogenous fertilizers, C. S. Phelps ( Connecticut Storrs 

 >>t<i. Rpt. luOO, pp. 158-174)- — This is an account of a continuation in pots of experi- 

 ments heretofore conducted mainly in the field (E. S. R., 11, p. 835). The pots 

 used were made of galvanized iron, and were 18.5 in. deep and 10 in. in diameter, 

 holding from 60 to 80 lbs. of the soil, sand, and gravel used. The soils experi- 

 mented with were taken from the plats used in the field experiments. These soils 

 apparently contained very little available nitrogen. The methods of filling the pots, 

 appl;'ing the fertilizers, sheltering and caring for the plants, sampling and analj'zing 

 the crops, are described in detail. The data obtained in experiments with oats, 

 Hungarian grass, orchard grass, and soy beans are reported in full, but without com- 

 ment, since the expermients are being continued with smaller quantities of nitrogen 

 and "it has been thought best to defer drawing any deductions until the results of 

 the later experiments can be compared with those here reported.'' 



Reports to the ministry of agriculture on sewage distribution at Genne- 

 villieres and d'Acheres {Bvl. Min. Agr. [France^, 20 {1901), Xo. J, 2)p. 965- 

 9(;8\. — Data are given as to the efficiency of the system of seAvage farms at these 

 places in purifying the sewage. 



An experiment on soil improvement, C S. Phelps {Connecticut »S'/orr.s- Sfa. Rpt. 

 1900, })p. 61-65) . — This is a brief account of a continuation of experiments begun in 

 1899 (E. S. R., 12, p. 1025). The rotation adopted for this experiment was corn, 

 potatoes, oats, and peas for fodder, and soy beans. The results with potatoes in 1900 

 are given. From these the conclusion is drawn "that clover had a high value when 

 used to plow under as manure for potatoes. By sowing the clover seed amongst the 

 corn in July, this crop was grown mainly between the seasons of the regular crop of 

 the rotation. Although the clover at the time of plowing under was only 3 or 4 in. 

 high, it proved to be a very valuable manure.'' 



Analyses of commercial fertilizers, ]M. A. Scovell, A. M. Peter, and II. E. 

 Ci-RTis {Kentuchj Sta. Bui. 97, pp. £25-261).— The results of analyses of 217 samples 

 of fertilizers are reported. Of these 30 samples, representing 29 brands and 17 firms, 

 fell below the guaranteed analyses in one, two, or all three ingredients. "The great 

 majority of the manufacturers, however, have furnished in most instances fertilizers 

 fully up to and often better than the guarantee." 



Report of analyses of commercial fertilizers for the spring and fall of 1901 , 

 L. L. Van Slvke an<l W. II. Andrews ( Xnr Yorl: Stair Shi. B»l. ..'Ol, pp. lO.i-168].— 

 The results of analyses of 4tj5 different bran<ls of fertilizers are reported. Of these. 



