SOILS FERTILIZERS. 42 V 



ent degrees of fineness were applied to small plats of peat low in lime, with 

 lieavy potasli and pliospboric acid fertilization, for barlej-. The slaked lime in 

 all cases produced larger yields of kernel and straw than the powdered lime- 

 stone. The yields secured in either case increased with the fineness of the lime 

 fertilizer applied, with the exception that the next to the finest slaked lime 

 (0.2 to 0.5 mm.) producd somewhat better results than the finest size (below 

 0.2 mm.). 



On the composition and fertilizing value of peat ash, H. von Feilitzen 

 {Svcnska MoaskuUuiior. Tidshr., 24 {1910), JS'o. 2, pp. 101-110, fiys. 3; abs. in 

 Ztschr. Moorkultur u. Torfvcrwert., 8 {1910), No. 3, pp. 158, i59).— Analyses 

 of 9 different samples of peat ash are given. The lime content varied from 

 5.79 to 21.04 per cent (average for 8 samples, 13.26 per cent), the potash con- 

 tent from 0.52 to 2.21 per cent (average 1.16 per cent), and the total phosphoric 

 acid from 1.73 to 2.7 per cent (average 2.3 per cent). Only a portion of the 

 potash was soluble in acids and the water-soluble portion was very small. 

 There was no water-soluble phosphoric acid, but about four-fifths of the phos- 

 phoric-acid content soluble in 24 per cent hydrochloric acid was citrate-soluble. 



Field experiments with peat ash as a fertilizer for a well-decomposed peat 

 soil, high in lime and nitrogen, were conducted during the seasons 1907 to 

 1909 on plats of 0.36 square meter area, with lupines and other legumes, the 

 peat ash being applied at the rate of 2,000, 4,000, and 6,000 kg. per hectare 

 (about 1,780, 3,560, and 5,340 lbs. per acre, respectively). Comparisons were 

 made with similar quantities of citrate-soluble phosphoric acid in peat ash 

 and in superphosphates, and of soluble potash in peat ash and 37 per cent 

 potash salt. The results showed that the citrate-soluble phosphoric acid in 

 the peat ash produced an increase in yield of from 50 to 60 per cent of that 

 with the water- and citrate-soluble phosphoric acids in superphosphates, and 

 that the acid-soluble potash in the peat ash had a value of from 30 to .50 per 

 cent of that produced by 37 per cent potash salt. 



Comparison of the fertilizing value of peat litter, straw, and wood shav- 

 ings used for bedding, H. von Feilitzen {Svenska Mosskulturfor. Tidskr., 24 

 {1010), No. 2, pp. 111-1 IS, figs. 5). — The results of the experiments conducted 

 by the author showed that the peat litter produced decidedly better yields in 

 the case of both potatoes and soiling crops than did either straw or shavings 

 litter. 



Fertilizers on soils used for oats, hay, and miscellaneous crops, M. Whit- 

 ney {U. /S. Dcpt. Agr., Bur. HoUs Bui. 67, pp. 73). — This bulletin is based upon 

 a compilation from reports and bulletins of the experiment stations of 1,483 

 tests of fertilizers on oats, 1.263 tests on hay, and 3,589 tests on miscellaneous 

 farm and truck crops. 



The results indicate in the case of oats and hiiy as in the case of other crops 

 reported upon in this series of bulletins (E. S. R., 22, p. 23; 23, pp. 138, 139, 

 239) that a combination of fertilizer ingredients is more efiicient than single 

 substances and that the smaller applications of single fertilizers, manure, and 

 commercial fertilizers were as efficient in increasing the yield as the larger 

 applications. 



Commercial fertilizers, C E. Bradley {Oregon 8ta. Bui. 107, pp. 3-11). — 

 This bulletin summarizes the main provisions of the fertilizer law of Oregon, 

 discusses the composition and valuation of fertilizers, gives statistics of fer- 

 tilizer consumption in the State, and reports analyses of samples of potash salts, 

 nitrate of soda, bone meal, taid<age, dried blood, and complete fertilizers col- 

 lected in the State. The figures reported indicate that the consumption of fer- 

 tilizers in the State is small, amounting to only about 310 tons during the year 

 ended June 30, 1909. 



