320 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol.40 



cultivated soil was small. In the humid region the soils in native sod contained 

 more nitrogen than the alfalfa soils, while nearly all of the latter contaiued a 

 greater amount of nitrogen than soils continuously cropped. In the seraihumld 

 section of the State the results resembled those of both the semiarld and humid 

 regions. 



Analyses of the soil types occurring in Montgomery County are said to indi- 

 cate deficiencies in calcium, a low phosphorus content, and less potash than the 

 average for good soils in the State. 



Experiments with the Behmsdorfer nitrogen fertilizer, C. von Seelhobst 

 et at-. (Jour. Landio., 66 (1918), No. 2, pp. 105-119). — Pot tests comparing both 

 the Immediate and after effects of the Behmsdorfer nitrogen fertilizer with 

 ammonium sulphate for mustard and oais arc said to indicate that the 

 nitrogen of the former is only about one-sixth as effective as that of the 

 latter. Additional experiments with barley, oats, potatoes, and rape, made in 

 boxes, led to similar conclusions. 



A means of relieving the fertilizer crisis, A. DI L'ECLUSE < Vit Agr. ct 

 Rurale, 8 (1918), No. 82, pp. 869-871; ab$. in Rev. 8oL [Paris], 56 (1918), No. 

 23, pp. 727, 728).— A method of precipitating ammonlum-magnesiam phosphate 

 from urine by adding an add magnesium salt is described, and tests of the 

 fertilizing value of the product so obtained are briefly discussed. It is esti- 

 mated that the average amount of urine produced per man annually is 

 1,029.56 lbs., and that this contains sufficient fertilizing material to keep 

 0.05 acre of soil in good productive condition. 



Experiments with phosphate fertilizers in Minnesota. F. J. Ai.way (Fnir. 

 Minn. Col. Agr., Ext. Div, Spec. Bui. tS (1918), pp. S).— On the basis of results 

 so far obtained in experin. ade on the substation farms and on the 



university farm with both rock and acid phosphate on the ordinary farm 

 crops, it has been concluded that the perioral use of phosphate fertilizers is 

 not justified even with the prevailing high prices. However, on a large pro- 

 portion of the soils in the west-central part of the State i he use of acid 

 phosphate alone for wheat and clover has been found profitable where grain 

 has been grown for a long time without the application of manure. Th( 

 conclusions arc -aid not to apply to peat Boils or to truck crops. 



[Phosphates in the Ukraine], C. Doelter (Abs. in Nature [London], 102 

 (1918), \ ;*. VJ1).— It is Btated thai phosphorites are found in great 



abundance in many districts of the Ukraine and can he obtained from open- 

 cast workings at a low cost. They generally contain a high percentage of 

 calcium phosphate, analysis showing 27.5 per cent of phosphoric add. 



A preliminary report on the potash industry of Nebraska. <;. I" OORDRA 

 (Bui. Nebr, lid. Agr., No. 2.',5 [1918), pp. tS3S69, ftg$. J'/).— This describes the 

 potash regions of Nebraska, and notes the present Status and progress of the 

 Industry in the State. 



The Alsace potash deposits and their economic significance in relation to 

 terms of peace, P. Kestner (Jour. Sor. Clicm. Influx., 87 (1918). No. 21. pp. 

 J91T-299T, figs. ;?: aba. in Am, r. Jnur. Sri.. .',. scr.. .',7 (1919), Vo. 877, p. 6S).— 

 The Alsatian deposits are described and compared with other deposits in 

 North Germany, Galida, Spain, Italian Eritrea, and the United States. It is 

 estimated that the known deposits in Alsace contain about 1,500,000,000 tons 

 of salts averaging 22 per cent of actual potash (K,G). The salts are. as a rule. 

 of higher grade than the Stassfurt deposits and need no refining for agricultural 

 purposes. 



Wood ashes as a source of potash. F. P>. GUTHBJS [Agr. GfO*. V. N. Wolet, 

 (1918). \'i. II. pp. 817-819).— An analysis is reported of mixed nnleachod hard- 

 wood ashes from a sawmill furnace which contained 1.34 per cent of potash. 



