AGEICULTURAL BOTANY. 725 



in sjind cnltnros. but not to the same extent as in soil. The oxidation of the 

 sulphur resulted in an increase of acidity. The orfj:anic sulphur of horse 

 manure was slowly oxidized to suljihaie. 



The work of otlier investiirators on the subject is briefly reviewe<l and a 

 bibliography of the subject is given. 



The action of salts of mang^anese on the growth of plants, 1\ Anuouard 

 (Bui. Sta. Agron. Loirc-Inf., 1912-13, pp. 125-1 Jfl). — Field experiments testing 

 the effect of manganese carbonate (80 lbs. per acre) and sulphate (3.').G 

 lbs. i)er acre) <m the growth of beets, beans, and potatoes are reported, the 

 results showing that the yield was in every case increased by the application 

 of manganese salts. The increase was generally more marked with the car- 

 bonate than with the sulphate. The effect on the different constituents of 

 the plants varied with tlie salt used. 



[Inspection of fertilizers in Alabama], B. B. Ross {Ala. Dept. Agr. Bui. 

 C)/f {I'JIJ/}. pp. 133). — Analyses and valuations of fertilizers collected during the 

 inspection of 1913-14 are reported with brief discussions on the maintenance of 

 soil fertility, classification of fertilizing materials, and home mixing of 

 fertilizers. The text of the state fertilizer laws are included. 



[Inspection of fertilizers in Florida], R. E. Rosk and F. T. Wilson {Ann. 

 Rpf. State Vhem. FUi.. 191.',. pp. .'}'i-10G). — Analyses of fertilizers collected dur- 

 ing the iuspecti<m of 191 1 are reported. 



Inspection and analysis of commercial fertilizers, 1914, F. B. Mumfokd 

 and P. F. Trowbridge {Missouri Sta. Bui. 122 (1915), pp. 109-160, fig. 1).—A 

 list of fertilizers registered for sale in Missouri in 1914 is given and analyses 

 and valuations of about 500 samples of these are reported with comments. 

 There was a marked increase in the use of fertilizers in the State in 1914 over 

 1913. The deficiencies in nitrogen, phosiihoric acid, and potash found by 

 analysis, as compared with the guaranties, were greater in 1914 than in 1913, 

 and in all constituents excei)t potash greater than for the preceding five years. 

 In 1914. 49.4 per cent of the nitrogen determination.?, 2S.2 per cent of the 

 pho.sphorie acid determinations, and 27.0 per cent of the potash determinations 

 were below the manufacturers' guaranties. However, the average value of all 

 fertilizers examined in 1914, as calculated on the basis of their composition, 

 was 57 cts. per ton above the average guaranty. 



AGRICULTURAL BOTANY. 



The evolution of sex in plants, .1. M. Coulter {Chicago: University Chicago 

 Press, 191 Jf, pp. IX+lJfO, figs. J}6). — This is the first of a series of publications 

 issued by the University of Chicago, in which it is intended to present sum- 

 maries of experiments or specific investigations. The treatment of the topics 

 is to be as nontechnical as possible, the series being intended for the layman as 

 well as for the scientist. 



In the present volume the author discusses asexual reproduction, the origin 

 and differentiation of sex. evolution of sex organs, alternation of generations, 

 differentiation of sexual individuals, and parthenogenesis. A working hy- 

 pothesis is suggested regarding the theory of sex. and he concludes that 

 sexuality as a method of reproduction represents protoplasts engaged in 

 reproduction under peculiar difficulties that do not obtain in reproduction by 

 spores or by vegetative multiplication. Its significance lies in the fact that it 

 makes organic evolution more rapid and far more varied. 



The mode of inheritance of semisterility in the offspring of certain hybrid 

 plants, J. Belling {Ztschr. Iiifliiktive Abstain, u. Vererhungslehre, 12 (1914). 

 No. 5, pp. 303-31)2, figs. 17). — This is a study of semisterility as related to 



