328 EXPERIMENT STATION RECOED. [Vol.35 



soil poor in potash and on a mixture of loam soil and sand to determine the 

 extent of the action of common salt in setting free the potash from an artificial 

 potassium zeolite are reported. The results are taken to indicate that common 

 salt solution does not have a solvent effect on potassium zeolites, and that if an 

 increase in crop is obtained by fertilizing with common salt it can not be 

 attril)uted to the indirect effect of the salt in setting free the potash of potas- 

 sium zeolites in the soil. It is further concluded that sodium may act directly 

 as a nutritive element for some plants. 



Eat fertilizers, C. N. Ageton {Estac. Expt. Af/ron. [Cuba], Informe An., 3 

 {1909-1914}, pp. 92-97). — Analyses of 37 samples of bat guano from Cuba are 

 reported and discussed. 



Notes on the chemical composition of Karroo ash, C. F. Juritz (So. African 

 Jour. Sci., 12 {1915), No. 4, pp. 133-142). — A number of miscellaneous analyses 

 of kraal manure and the burned manure ash from stock-raising districts of 

 South Africa are reported. A summary of analyses of 29 samples of the ash 

 showed average contents of potash 9.85, lime 21.81, and phosphoric acid 2.86 

 per cent. 



Fertilizer analyses, A. J. Patten, O. B. Winter, O. P. Jensen, and E. F. 

 Bekger {Michigan Sta. Bui. 275 {1915), pp. 3-25).— This bulletin contains the 

 results of actual and guarantied analyses of 358 samples of fertilizers and fer- 

 tilizing materials representing 300 brands offered for sale in Michigan during 

 1915. Of these 21 were below guaranty in nitrogen, 19 in available phosphoric 

 acid, 5 in total phosphoric acid, and 33 in potash. 



Tabulated analyses of commercial fertilizers and fertilizer materials, J. W. 

 Sample {Torn. Dept. Agr. Pert. Bui. 1915, pp. 61). — This bulletin contains the 

 results of actual and guarantied analyses of 376 samples of fertilizers and fer- 

 tilizing materials collected for inspection in Tennessee during 1915, together 

 with general Information for farmers on the use of fertilizers and the text of 

 the state fertilizer inspection law. 



Commercial fertilizers, inspection 1915, B. H. Hite and F. B. Kunst (irc.sf 

 Virginia Sta. Innp. Bui. 4 {1916), pp. 69). — This bulletin contains the results of 

 actual and guarantied analyses of 332 samples of fertilizers and fertilizing 

 materials collected for inspection in West Virginia during 1915, together with 

 a discussion of the fertilizer situation, inspection work, etc. 



AGRICULTURAL BOTANY. 



Agricultural bacteriology, H. L. Kissell and E. G. Hastings {Madison, 

 ^yis.: II. L. KusseU. 1915, pp. VI +304, fiffs. 48).— The present edition (E. S. R., 

 22, p. 723) treats of the properties of micro-organisms, soil bacteriology, the 

 relation of micro-organisms to foods, and transmissible diseases. One chapter 

 deals with bacterial diseases of plants. 



Determining types of genera, O. F. Cook {Jour. Wash. Arad. Sci., 6 {1916), 

 No. 6, pp. 137-140). — This is a discussion of the need for a stable taxonomy in 

 both branches of biological science and the difficulties to be overcome in working 

 out a practicable system. 



Physiological temperature indices for the study of plant growth in rela- 

 tion to climatic conditions, B. E. Livingston {Phi/^ioi. Researches, 1 {1916), 

 No. 8, pp. 399-420, figs. 4; abs. in Science, n. ser., 43 {1916), No. 1106, p. 362). — 

 This publication doals with the derivation and use of a series of physiological 

 indices of temperatm-e efficiency for plant growth, these indices being derived 

 from data obtained by liChenbauer in a study of the relation of temjjerature to 

 the elongation rate in seedling maize shoots (E. S. R., 32, p. 334). The system 



