426 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD, 



" The maximum possible corn crop also increases directly withi the quantity 

 of active phosphoric acid in the soil. 



" Soils may provide sufficient phosphoric acid for large crops, and yet respond 

 to phosphoric fertilization in pot experiments. 



" Phosphoric acid is talien up by the crop which comes from other sources 

 than the active phosphoric acid — especially if tlie soil contains less than 30 

 parts per million of active phosphoric acid. 



" The phosphoric acid removed by the crop in percentages of the active phos- 

 phoric acid decreases with the quantity of active phosphoric acid in the soil."' 



A review of the phosphate fields of Idaho, Utah, and Wyoming', with 

 special reference to the thickness and quality of the deposits, W. H. Wagga- 

 MAN (U. S. Dept. Agr., Bur. Soils Bui. 69, pp. ^S, pi. 1). — This report is based 

 upon investigations made in cooperation with the U. S. Geological Survey and 

 " contains the results of work in the season of 1909 on the sampling and analyses 

 of the phosphate rock, together with some notes on the processes of its manu- 

 facture into superphfisphate and mixed fertilizers, and on the present status of 

 the industry in general so far as the western phosphate field is concerned." 



The report deals only with portions of Bear Lake County, Idaho, Uinta 

 County, Wyo.. and Rich County. Utah. 



The 35 analyses reported from the main phosphate beds show percentages 

 of phosphoric acid varying from 29.1 to 38.6. It is stated that all of the phos- 

 phate mined in this area is sent to California for fertilizer manufacture, and 

 it is believed that "there is little prospect that the western phosphates will be 

 extensively mined in the near future owing to the great distances to present 

 marlvets." 



The importance of the German potash salts for industrial and agricultural 

 purposes, P. Krische (Vhein. Indux. [BerUn'\, 3.3 {1!)10), Xo.<!. 6, pp. I.j7~n0; 7, 

 PI), 195-210; 8, pp. 2^-2.55; 9, pp. 2T9-2S6). — This article discusses the occur- 

 rence of potash in nature and the character and value of various commercial 

 sources of potash. The results of many experiments on different kinds of plants 

 are reviewed to show the agricultural importance and value of potash salts. 

 Specific directions for potash manuring of different kinds of crops are given. 



The relation of lime to soil improvement, E. O. Fippin i^few York Cornell 

 Sta. Circ. 7," /)/). ll>). — This paper, read before the National Lime Manufac- 

 turers' Association at Pittsburg. Pa., January 27, 1910, briefly explains the 

 physiological, biological, chemical, and physical effects of lime on soil and crop. 

 It is shown that lime is widely needed on New York soils, and that it gives 

 best results when used in connection with thorough drainage and methods of 

 culture which maintain an adequate supply of humus in the soil. 



The forms of combination and relative availability of different lime com- 

 pounds are described and it is stated that the matter of selection of the com- 

 pound used " resolves itself into the question of the form in which the largest 

 amount of lime in the finest state of division can be gotten on the soil.'" Con- 

 sidering composition and fineness, the author concludes that " 50 lbs. of lump 

 lime is equivalent to 00 lbs. hydrated lime, 100 lbs. air-slaked lime, [or] 2.50 lbs. 

 ground limestone or n^arl." 



On the influence of the fineness of lime on its action as an amendment of 

 peat soils low in lime, H. von Feilitzen (Svenska Mossknlturfbr. Tidskr., 2/f 

 (1910), No. 2, pp. 95-98, fig. 1). — Slaked lime and powdered limestone of dift'er- 



"■ This circular must not be confused with the circular, also numbered by the 

 station Circular 7, entitled An Apparatus for Measuring Acidity in Cheese 

 Making and Butter Making, by C. A. Publow, issued in May, 1909, and pre- 

 viously noted (E. S. R., 21, p. 732). 



