980 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



"What is Thomas slag and ho-wr shall it be used ? M. Marcker (Ztschr. landw. 

 Ver. Hesse», 1S95, No. 12, pp. 90-92; Wochenschr. pom. okon. Ges., 25 {1895), No. 7, pp. 

 79-81; Kbnigaherger land- nndforstw. Ztg., 1S95, No. 11). 



Note on the decomposition of phosphates containing fluorin, S. Feitler 

 (Dingler's pohjteoli. Jour., 294, pp. 188, 189; abs. in Jour. Soc. Chem. Ind., 14 {1895), No. 

 3, p. 286). 



Commercial fertilizers {Kentucky Sta. Bui. 52, pp. 83-116). — Analyses and valua- 

 tions of 11 official samples of fertilizers (sent to the station by manufacturers) 

 ami 87 samples sent by farmers or taken by deputy inspectors are tabulated and 

 discussed. 



Inspection and analyses of commercial fertilizers sold in Maryland, H. B. 

 McDonnell, et al. (Margland Sta. Bui. SO, pp. 3-54). — Exi)lauatious of teruis used in 

 fertilizer analyses, notes on guaranties and valuation, a list of manufacturers licensed 

 to sell fertilizers in Maryland in 1894, text of the State fertilizer law, and tabulated 

 analyses and valuations of 362 samples of fertilizing materials. 



Analyses and valuation of manurial substances {Massnchusetis State Sta. Bui. 

 57, pp. 6-8). — A schedule of trade values for 1895 is given, together with tabulated 

 analyses of 22 samples of fertilizing materials, including ashes, cotton-hull ashes, 

 ground bone, cotton-seed meal, guano, sheep fertilizer, and peat. 



Commercial fertilizers, P. Collier and L. L. Van Slyke {New York State Sta. 

 Rpt. 1893, pp. 181-204, 497-539).— Text of the State fertilizer law, notes on the agree- 

 ment of actual and guaranteed composition, valuation, and home-mixing, and tabu- 

 lated analyses of 330 samples of fertilizers, with a statement of the amounts of 

 dififerent kinds of fertilizers reported aa sold in the State during the year ending 

 November 1, 1893. The aggregate amount was 106,520 tons. 



Fertilizer analyses, H. B. Battle {North Carolina Sta. Spec. Bui. 24, pp. 14; 25, 

 pp. 16). — These bulletins give a digest of the State fertilizer laws, explanations of 

 terms used in analysis, notes on valuation, freight rates, and tabulated analyses and 

 valuations of 313 samples of fertilizers. 



Analyses of commercial fertilizers, J. L. Hills and B. O. White {Vermont Sta. 

 Bui. 45, pp. 3-8). — A schedule of trade values for 1895, notes on valuation, tabulated 

 analyses of 15 samples of fertilizers, and a list of manufacturers paying license fees 

 as required by law. 



FIELD CROPS. 



Field experiments with corn, 1894, F. D. Gardner {Illinois 8ta^ 

 Bui. 37, pp. 24). 



Synopsis. — Accounts are given of experiments in the following lines: (1) Test of 

 varieties, (2) time of planting, (3) thickness of planting, (4) continuous cropping 

 vs. a rotation of crops, (5) cross fertilization, (6) detasseling, and (7) listing. 

 The results of these and previous experiments at the station favor (1) the 

 medium maturing white varieties, (2) planting in May, especially from the 11th 

 to the 18th of the month, (3) thick planting, (4) rotation of crops, and (5) cross 

 fertilization. The yield of detasseled corn in 1894 was 13 per cent greater than 

 that not detasseled, although in 1891 and 1892 detasseling had exercised no 

 marked effect on the yield. 



The experiments in 1894 were in continuation of those reported in 

 Bulletin 31 of the station ( E. S. E., 6, p. 29). Tbey were conducted on 

 dark colored, fertile prairie soil in hills 3 ft. 8 in. apart each way. 



Varieties (pp. 1-lG). — The test of varieties occupied 84 fortieth-acre 

 plats, and the results are given in detail in tables, summaries, and gen- 

 eral notes. Mixtures of 2 and 4 varieties gave larger yields in 1894 than 

 single varieties, though mixtures did not afford Lhe larger yield every 



