624 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Long-continued experiments with zinc pots showed that red clover grown 

 in acid soils lost its germinating power and made feeble growth in the third 

 year. The injurious effect of the zinc pots was apparent in the case of clover 

 in the second j'ear. It was most pronounced in the case of acid soils. 



The effect of fertilizers and stimulants upon the growth and production 

 of Corchorus capsularis, S. F. Albano (PhiJipjnne Agr. and Forester, S {1915), 

 No. 9-10, pp. 218-226). — Experiments on jute with cow manure, kainit, and 

 tankage, with or without the addition of potassium sulphate, are reported. A 

 beneficial effect from the use of fertilizer was observed in the growth of the 

 plant and in the yield of fiber. The best results were obtained with mixtures 

 containing nitrogen. 



In comparative tests of the effect of dilute solutions of borax and salts of 

 manganese, mercury, iron, calcium, nickel, zinc, fluorin, and iodin it was found 

 that jute " is decidedly less subject to stimulation with various chemicals than 

 are some of the other crops with which experiments have been carried on, most 

 notably, for instance, potatoes and radishes. The only chemicals whose use 

 can be recommended as very likely to be profitable as a result of these tests are 

 iron and vei'y dilute nickel." 



Various forms of dung, D. A. Gilchrist (Armstrong Col. Newcastle-upon- 

 Tyne, Agr. Dept. Bui. 10 {1914), pp. 10, 11; ahs. in Nature [London'], 94 {1915), 

 No. 2363, p. 651). — Fresh dung, dung kept just long enough to be in good con- 

 dition for application, and old dung stored in the heap for some months were 

 applied at the rate of 12 tons per acre in five 4-course rotations of swedes, 

 barley, hay, and oats. The manure which had been kept just long enough to 

 be in good condition gave the best results. 



Green manuring table, F. Arndt {Deut. Landio. Presse, 42 {1915), No. 29, 

 p 255). — A table is given showing for German conditions the quantities needed 

 for different purposes and the cost of different green manures. 



German nitrogen monopoly {Chem. Ztschr., 14 {1915), No. 5-6, pp. 11, 18). — 

 The terms of the German Imperial monopoly on nitrogenous materials used 

 for fertilizing purposes, which is to be effective until March 31, 1922, are ex- 

 plained. 



Lime nitrogen, R. Kindler {Illus. Landw. Ztg., 35 {1915), No. 3, pp. 11, 12). — 

 This is a concise summary of present knowledge regarding the nature and value 

 of lime nitrogen as a fertilizer. 



Cyanamid in complete fertilizer mixtures, E. J. Pranke {Com. Pert., 10 

 {1915), No. 2, pp. 15, 16). — It is pointed out in this article that the quantities 

 of cyanamid used by King in experiments previously noted (E. S. R., 33, p. 25) 

 were out of proportion to the amounts of fertilizer mixture and of acid phos- 

 phate used. It is considered advisable to limit the use of cyanamid to 60 lbs. 

 per ton of fertilizer mixture containing approximately 1,000 lbs. of acid phos- 

 phate. 



Phosphates in Massachusetts agriculture: Importance, selection, and use, 

 W. P. Brooks {Massachusetts Sta. Bui. 162 {1915), pp. 130-167, pis. 2).— This 

 bulletin reviews the Hopkins theory of permanent soil fertility and i-eports an 

 extended study of the applicability of this theory, with particular reference to 

 the use of phosphorus, to Massachusetts soils and agriculture. 



It is shown that phosphoric acid is not relatively deficient in Massachusetts 

 soils and that under the systems of agriculture common in the State, which 

 usually include the use of some phosphate, there is no reason to believe that 

 it is generally becoming more so. It is shown in fact that, contrary to the 

 Hopkins theory, for most of the leading crops of the State potash is far m<»re 

 frequently the dominant food requirement than phosphoric acid. 



