524 EXPEEIMENT STATION EECORD. 



Average composition of the more important farm and commercial fer- 

 tilizers, M. Hoffmann (Arb. Dent. Landw. (icsclL, 1910, No. 160, 2. ed., colored 

 chart). — This is a second edition of a colored chart 90 by 115 cm. (35 by 45 in.) 

 showing graphically the nitrogen, phosphoric acid, potash, and lime content of 

 the more important farm and green manures and commercial fertilizing ma- 

 terials, as well as the amounts of these constituents removed from the soil in 

 various crops. 



Commercial fertilizers and their use in North Carolina, C. B. Williams 

 (N. C. Student Farmer, 1 (1909), Nos. 9, pp. 166-169; 10, pp. 186-d89; 2 

 (1909), Nos. 1, pp. Jf-l ; 2, pp. 2^-21). — This is a general discussion of the 

 nature and use of fertilizers, particularly as applied to North Carolina 

 conditions. ♦ 



Home mixed fertilizers (Maine Sta. Doc. 377, pp. 20). — This article clearly 

 and concisely states the practical advantages of home mixing, describes methods 

 of mixing, and gives formulas for various crops. 



Penetration of fertilizers in the soil (Encfrais, 25 (1910), No. 26, pp. 720, 

 721). — This is a review of an article by A. Demolon which lays particular 

 stress upon the importance of applying even soluble fertilizers in a finely 

 divided condition and using methods of culture which will keep the soil sup- 

 plied with sufficient moisture to diffuse the fertilizers in the soil. See also 

 a previous note (E. S. R., 21, p. 720). 



Concerning' some effects of long-continued use of sodium nitrate and 

 ammonium sulphate on the soil, B. E. PJrown (Pennsylvania Sta. Rpt. 1909, 

 pp. 8^-92). — From a study of samples of soil from plats which have been used 

 for 28 years in experiments with a 4-year rotation of corn, oats, wheat, and hay, 

 the following conclusions are drawn : 



" Plats receiving sulphate of ammonia required more lime than plats receiving 

 nitrate of soda. 



"The plat receiving the larger application of sulphate of ammonia showed a 

 higher lime requirement than the other plats. 



" The plat receiving the larger application of nitrate of soda required the 

 least amount of lime. 



" In three cases the lime requirement decreased with depth of sampling. The 

 depth of sampling was : 0-3 in., 3-6 in., and 6-12 ia. 



" The depressing effect of the larger application of sulphate of ammonia on 

 the yields of crops, especially corn and hay, is quite marked at the present time. 

 While this treatment no doubt has brought about soil conditions as a result of 

 which sorrel has infested the plat, it is probably true also that this plant, when 

 turned under, tends directly to make for more untoward soil conditions. On 

 certain portions of the plat receiving 72 lbs. nitrogen in sulphate of ammonia, 

 the sorrel flourishes to better advantage. It is here that corn does so poorly. 

 In these spots a brown crust forms on the surface, which is markedly acid and 

 very bitter to the taste. A qualitative examination of the crust contained a 

 large amount of water-soluble sulphate; at least a large amount of barium sul- 

 phate was thrown down upon addition of barium chlorid. The aqueous solu- 

 tion turned blue litmus paper red. On other parts of the same plat this crust 

 does not occur as far as our observation has shown, and the corn plants were 

 much better. As a matter of fact where the most sorrel prevailed and where 

 the crust also occurred, the plants died. The ' poor ' spot required twice as 

 much calcium oxid as the good portion of the plat." 



All of the plats receiving ammonium sulphate except one contained more 

 matter insoluble in hydrochloric acid of 1.115 specific gravity than those not 

 so treated. There were more marked variations in the content of lime than of 



