1916] 



SOILS — FERTILIZERS. 631 



pot experiments, in which 1 gm. each of kainit and a 40 per cent potash salt 

 were added to 100 gm. of soil, are reported. 



The results obtained by others and the original experimental results are taken 

 to indicate that potash fertilization decreases the water requirement of plants, 

 Potash fertilization with kainit on a large scale, however, does not increase the 

 moisture content of soil in the summer months, since the moisture absorbed 

 from moist air by the hygroscopic salt is again evaporated from the soil intc 

 dry air. 



The hygroscopicity of various potassium fertilizer salts, H. von Feilitzen 

 (Svenska Mosskulturfor. Tidskr., 29 {1915), No. 4-5, pp. 382-401, figs. 3).— Ex- 

 periments with kainit and 20, 37, and 40 per cent potassium salts are reported. 



Kainit and the 20 and 37 per cent salts, after storage from three to six 

 months in sacks, contained a few lumps, and the 40 per cent salt contained a 

 few lumps not passing the 4 mm. sieve. After nine months' storage in sacks, 

 kainit was damp at the top and quite wet at the bottom. It formed one lump 

 which was, however, dry. The same was observed with the 20 per cent salt. 

 The 37 per cent salt stood in small damp lumps. The 40 per cent salt stood in 

 even smaller lumps, but was all damp. In all cases the sacks were wet and had 

 to be cut open. 



Tests of the availability of different grades of ground limestone, L. B. 

 Broughton, R. C. Williams, and G. S. Frazee {Maryland Sta. Bui. 193 {1916), 

 pp. 31-45). — Experiments on the solubility of limestone and oyster shells of 

 different grades of fineness in water and water charged with carbon dioxid and 

 In a soil solution, and experiments on ^nf-^cre plats of sandy loam soil to de- 

 termine the influence of different sizes of ground limestone and oyster shells on 

 wheat and crimson clover, are reported. 



It was found that " ground limestone and oyster shells of different degrees of 

 fineness vary in their degree of solubility in water and water charged with car- 

 bon dioxid [and in soil solution] according to the fineness of the material. . . . 

 In order to furnish as much soluble calcium, by the use of ground stone or 

 ground shells to a soil as calcium oxid will furnish, the stone or shells must be 

 ground so that at least 90 per cent will pass an 80-mesh sieve. . . . Ground 

 limestone, when ground to pass an 80-mesh sieve, gives yields equal to and 

 sometimes greater than calcium oxid." 



It is concluded that " better results will be obtained by using calcium oxid 

 (lime) or limestone and oyster shells ground to pass an 80-mesh sieve than by 

 using a coarser grade of limestone or shells. However, marked increases will 

 be noted by the use of large quantities of coarse material, due in a large meas- 

 ure to the fine material that is found in any limestone after it has been ground." 



Tabulated analyses of commercial fertilizers, W. Freae {Penn. Dept. Agr. 

 Bui. 277 {1916), pp. 55). — This bulletin contains the results of actual and guar- 

 antied analyses and estimated valuations of 371 samples of fertilizers and fer- 

 tilizing materials collected for inspection in Pennsylvania from August 1 to 

 December 31, 1915. 



[List of fertilizer and lime manufacturers and importers and their prod 

 ucts] {Penn. Dept. Agr. Bui. 275 {1916), pp. 42). — This bulletin contains a list 

 of 184 fertilizer and lime manufacturers and importers and licensed brands of 

 their products, together with the text of the Pennsylvania fertilizer law. 



The international movement of fertilizers and chemical products usefu? 

 to agriculture {Intemat. Inst. Agr. Rome, Intemat. Crop Rpt. and Agr. Statis.. 

 7 {1916), No. 3, pp. 177-221).— This review, issued in March, 1916, is the fourth 

 of a series (E. S. R., 34, p. 426) and gives figures for the fertilizer production 

 and trade for 1913, 1914, and 1915. Data are also given for imports and ex- 

 ports of sulphur for the different countries and for the production of copper 



