626 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Nitrate deposits of southern California, F. W. Graeff (Engin. and Min. 

 Jour., 90 {1910), No. 4, p. 113). — The nitrate-bearing clay hills in Chemehuvis 

 Valley, about 32 miles south of Needles in southern California, are described, 

 and analyses of several samples of the clays showing a content of sodium nitrate 

 varying from 7.2 to 22.6 per cent are reported. The similarity of these deposits 

 to those of Chile is pointed out. The southern California deposits are easier to 

 worli than those of Chile and contain in addition to sodium nitrate other 

 nitrates which promise to be of commercial importance. 



A new nitrogenous fertilizer derived from the air, Maizieres {Engrais, 25 

 (1910), No. 28, pp. 768-770). — The process of Haber, utilizing the catalytic 

 action of titanium oxid on a mixture of nitrogen and hydrogen for the produc- 

 tion of ammonia, is described and its commercial possibilities discussed. 



The fertilizer value of phonolite meal on peat soils, H. von Feilitzen 

 (Svenska Mosskulturfor. Tidskr., 2^ (1910), A'o. 3, pp. 297-300 ) .—This material 

 (so-called potassium silicate) proved of some value as a potash fertilizer on 

 peat soils, but was greatly inferior to 37 per cent potash salts in its fertilizer 

 effects. 



On vivianite as a fertilizer, E. Haglund (SvciiS'ka Mosskulturfor. Tidskr., 

 2-'t (1910), No. 3, pp. 273-279). — Analyses of 10 samples of vivianite are given 

 and its value as a phosphatic fertilizer discussed. 



Diatomaceous calcium phosphates in Senegal, L. Cayeux (Co^mpt. Rend. 

 Acad. Sci. [Paris], 150 (1910), No. 1, pp. 108-110; abs. in Rev. Set. [Paris], .^8 

 (1910), II, No. 3, pp. 93, 9Jt). — Phosphate deposits similar to those of Gafsa in 

 Tunis are described. 



The use and abuse of lime in agriculture, W. W. Andrews (Ann. Rpt. Sec. 

 Agr. Nora Scolia. 1909. pt. 2. pp. 111-117, pi. 1). — The impoi'tance of using an 

 abundance of humus-forming material in connection with lime is especially 

 emphasized in this article. 



The fertilizer action of salt in combination with ammonium sulphate, 

 B. ScHULZE (Mitt. Dent. Londw. GrscU., 25 (1910), No. SO, pp. J,52-Ji58; o&s. in 

 Mark Lane Express, lOJf (1910), No. J/IH, P- HI)- — From a series of field 

 experiments with potatoes, mangolds, wheat, oats, and beets, the conclusion is 

 drawn that the inferiority of ammonium sulphate as compared with sodium 

 nitrate is due in large measure, if not entirely, to the effect of the sodium in the 

 nitrate. The author recommends, therefore, that ammonium sulphate should 

 always be used in combination with an amount of salt sufficient to supply 

 sodium equal to that in an equivalent application of sodium nitrate. A mixture 

 of equal i)arts of salt and ammonium sulphate is recommended. Salt, however, 

 may be omitted when potash salts containing a considerable amount of common 

 salt are used. The effect of the ;imnionium sulphate was greatly increased by 

 the addition of salt, even on heavy soils. 



The function of manganese as a fertilizer, 1.. Bkrnardini (Staz. Sper. Agr. 

 ItaL. .'i3 (1910), No. 3, pp. 2 17-2 J,0) .—The litersiture of investigations on this 

 subject is briefly reviewed. 



Field experiments with fertilizers, A. ^^^ K. de Jong (Tcysmannia, 21 

 (1910), 4-5, pp. 29^-302).— Comparative tests on sorghum of potassium 

 chlorid, superphosphate, Thomas slag, ammonium sulphate, and bone meal, 

 singly and combined, are reported. The soil was uneven in character and the 

 lesults obtained were variable. One fact which was brought out quite clearly 

 was the high efficiency of ammonium suljihate in a very wet season. 



Cooperative field trials of the Swedish Moor Culture Society, 1909, A. 

 Bauman and H. von Feilitzen (Srcnska Mosskulturfor. Tidskr., 2-'f (1910), No. 

 3, pp. 280-296), — Seventy-four different trials were conducted, covering experi- 



