324 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol. 37 



acid of the phosphoric acid, such as lime, silicates, and manganese, and (2) 

 those which favorably influence the solubility of the phosphoric acid, such as 

 the sulphates of aluminum and iron. It is thought that the salts of iron and 

 aluminum when present act in neutralizing the effect of those compounds which 

 retard the solubility. 



It is concluded that phosphatic slags contain tricalcium phosphate the same 

 as do mineral phosphates, and that their high degree of solubility in citric acid 

 may be attributed to the specific action of the iron and aluminum ions present 

 as secondary constituents. It is further concluded that variations in the solu- 

 bility of phosphatic slag are due to variations in the content of the secondary 

 constituents. 



The influence of calcium carbonate on the solution of iron phosphate in 

 acetic acid and its availability to plants, V. V. Semushkin (Semouch- 

 kine) {Iz RczuVt. Yeget. Opytov Lab. Rubot (Rcc. Trav. Lab. Agron.), Moskov. 

 Selsk. Khoz. Inst., 10 {1914), PP- 85-103; Izv. Mo.^kov. Selsk. Khoz. Inst. {Ann. 

 Inst. Agron. Moscou). 22 {1916), No. 1. pp. S5-103).— The addition of calcium 

 carbonate to iron phosphate was found to reduce its solubility in acetic acid and 

 to reduce its effectiveness as a food for plants grown in pots. Calcium nitrate 

 produced no such effect on the solul)ility in acetic acid but produced analogous 

 effects in pot experiments. Magnesium carbonate acted like calcium carbonate 

 but to a less degree. Sodium carbonate increased the solubility of the phos- 

 phoric acid. The effect of ammonium nitrate varied at different periods of 

 growth. The addition of calcium carlionate in this case increased growth during 

 the first period and gave a larger yield. 



Analyses of inspection samples of fertilizers. 1915—16, J. T. 'Wir.r.ARD and 

 R. C. Wiley {Kansas Stn. Insp. Circ. 3 {1916), pp. 17). — This circular contains 

 the results of actual and guarantied analyses of 76 samples of fertilizers and 

 fertilizing materials collected for inspection in Kansas during 1915-16, together 

 with financial statements relating to such work and the text of the Kansas 

 fertilizer law. 



Analyses of inspection samples of fertilizers, fall 1916, .7. T. Wili.ard and 

 R. C. Wii.EY {KansaJi Sta. Insp. Circ. 4 {1917), pp. 11). — This circular contains 

 the results of actual and guarantied analyses of 57 samples of fertilizers and 

 fertilizing materials collected for inspection in Kansas during the fall of 1916, 

 together with a list of Kansas fertilizer dealers. 



Fertilizers sold in Wisconsin, \V. H. Stkowd {^Vu<<cons^n Sta. Bui. 279 {1917), 

 pp. IS, fig. 1)- — This bulletin gives general informatiitn on the purchase and 

 use of commercial and other fertilizers and fertilizing materials, with special 

 reference to Wisconsin conditions, and reports the results of actual and guaran- 

 tied analyses of 49 samples of fertilizers and fertilizing materials collected for 

 inspection in the State during 1916. It is stated that in Wisconsin most of the 

 commercial fertilizers are used in .sections where truck and cash crops predomi- 

 nate, the largest amounts being used in Milwauke<\ Kacine, and Kenosha Coun- 

 ties in the extreme southeastern part. 



AGRICULTUEAL BOTANY. 



A quantitative method of ascertaining the mechanism of growth and of 

 inhibition of growth of dormant buds, J. Ix)eb {Science, n. ser., 45 {1917), 

 2fo. 1166, pp. 4S6-4S9). — Studies are reported on the development of the dormant 

 buds in the leaves of Bryophyllum calycinum. 



Leaves of equal size and from the same node were found to produce, in the 

 same time and under identical conditions, equal masses of young shoots. From 

 experiments with two sets of leaves, one with the centers cut out, the other 



