520 EXPERIMENT STATION RECOED. 



innck or peat, leaf mold, ajiple i)omace. lime, limestone, and wood ashes. An 

 analysis of sludge from the manufacture of lime-sulphur spraying solutions is 

 appended. 



Inspection of commercial fertilizers, II. D. Haskins et al. (Massachusetts 

 tSta. Control Scr. Bui. 2 (1014), pp. 98). — This is a detailed report of fertilizer 

 insijectiou in Massachusetts during 1014, including analy.se.s and valuations of 

 606 brands of mixed fertilizers, raw fertilizing materaials, and lime comj^ounds. 

 The bulletin discusses commercial shortages in both unmixed fertilizing mate- 

 rials and mixed goods and the quality of plant food in the mixed goods, shows 

 the general standing of each manufacturer's brands, and emphasizes the econ- 

 omy of purchasing only high-grade fertilizers. 



A brief account is given of a vegetation experiment made to show the efficiency 

 of the alkaline permanganate method as a moans of indicating the activity of 

 water-soluble organic nitrogen, and the general quality of nitrogen found in 

 each manufacturer's product is shown. Results of field tests of certain mineral 

 or stone meal fertilizers are briefly reported. 



Commercial fertilizers, J. L. Hills et al. (Vermont Sta. Bui. 182 (1914), 

 pp. 265-339). — ^Analyses and valuations of 185 brands of fertilizers representing 

 the output of IS companies licensed to sell in Vermont in the season of 1913-14 

 are reported. 



The quality of the fertilizers was fairly satisfactory, 83 per cent of the brands 

 meeting their guaranties and the quality of the crude stock used apparently 

 being good. All but eight of the brands containing nitrogen carried mineral as 

 well as organic forms of nitrogen. The average selling price of the fertilizers 

 examined was $32.53; the average valuation, $20.35. The high-priced brands 

 were most economical as regards plant food obtained for the price paid. A com- 

 parison of analyses of brands for three years shows in most cases essential even- 

 ness, but in some cases considerable variation in composition. 



AGBJCULTTJEAI BOTATTr. 



Plant physiology, L. Jost. trans, by R. J. H. Gibson (Oxford: Clarendon 

 Press, 1913, pp. 168, pi. 1). — This is a supplement to the English translation 

 previously noted (E. S. R., 19, p. 529) giving the alterations or additions con- 

 tained in the second edition of the German original. A large amount of addi- 

 tional literature is also cited. 



Students' handbook to accompany Plants and Their Uses, F, L. Sakgent 

 (New York: II. Holt (G Co., 1914, pp. SO, figs, i?).— This book consists of labora- 

 tory directions for studies to be conducted in connection with the author's book 

 on Plants and Their Uses (E. S. R.. 31, p. 425). 



Experiments on hybridization with Canna indica, J. A. Honing (K. Akad. 

 WetenscJi. Amsterdam, Versl. Wis en Natuurk. Afdeel., 22 (1913-14), pt. 2, pp. 

 173-779, fiffs. 8; also in ditto, Proc. Sect. Set., 16 (1913-14), pt. 2, pp. 835-841, 

 figs. 8). — ^An account is given of experiments in hybridizing two varieties of 

 Canna, one of which was characterized by having green leaves, bracts, stems, 

 etc., the other darker leaves with a red edge and dark red flowers. The behavior 

 on the different crosses is shown and the proportions of the different hybrids 

 suggest a segregation according to three INIendelian factors. 



[Some correlation studies of hypocotyls], B. D. Halsted et al. (Xeio Jersey 

 Stas. Rpt. 1913, pp. 588-611, pi. 1). — The results are given of studies on the 

 lengths of hyi^ocotyls and first internodes in tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants, 

 of the influence of varietal qualities upon the length of hypocotyl and the first 

 internode in beans, the influence of the depth of i^lanting and hilling beans, the 



