SOILS — FERTILIZEES. 25 



Production of phosphate rock in Florida during 1912, E. H. Sexlards 

 (Tradesman, 69 (1913), No. 13, p. ^0; Anier. Fert., 3S (1913), No. 6, Sup. Bill., 

 pp. 1-3). — It is stated that foreign shipments of phosphate rock from Florida 

 during 1912 amounted to 1,203.005 tons, while the domestic shipments as re- 

 ported by the producers amounted to 1,219,927 tons. 



The utilization of acid and basic slags in the manufacture of fertilizers, 

 W. H. Waggaman (II. S. Dept. Agr., Bur. Soils Bid. 95. pp. 18, pi. i).— This 

 bulletin reports analyses of domestic slags and experiments in the laboratory 

 preparation of slags, using potash-bearing rocks and phosphates mixed with 

 slags. The results indicate " that it may be possible by mixing phosphatic 

 limestone and feldspar with the molten slag to produce a slag of value as a 

 commercial fertilizer." 



Alunite and kelp as potash fertilizers, J. J. Skinner and A. M. Jackson 

 (U. S. Dcpt. Agr., Bur. Soils Circ. 76, pp. 5). — Comparative tests of the fer- 

 tilizing effect on wheat seedlings of raw alunite containing 10 per cent of 

 potash, ignited alunite containing 14.7 per cent of potash, and of dry and 

 powdered kelp containing 19.S per cent of potash, were made by the paraffined 

 wire-pot method of the Bureau of Soils, the different fertilizing materials being 

 used in amounts furnishing potash at the rate of 25. 50, 100, 200, and 500 lbs. 

 per acre. Potassium chlorid and sulphate were used in parallel series of ex- 

 periments at the same rates. 



The results indicated that the dried kelp and ignited alunite were about as 

 effective as pota.^sium sulphate and chlorid. The raw alunite was less effective 

 than the ignited alunite. Nevertheless, the raw alunite used in amounts corre- 

 sponding to frojn 50 to 100 lbs. of potash per acre increased the yield about 20 

 per cent, while the ignited alunite increased the yield on an average about 

 40 per cent. 



Liming for Tennessee soils, C. A. Mookrs (Tennessee Sta. Bui. 97, pp. 35, 

 figs. 7). — Experiments extending over a number of years with a variety of 

 crops on typical soils of the State have shown that the soils are as a rule 

 benefited by liming. This result was indicated by chemical analysis which 

 showed a very low percentage of calcium carbonate, even in soils of limestone 

 origin. Burnt lime and ground limestone, used at relative rates of 1 ton 

 of the former and 2 tons of the latter, were about equally effective, the 

 slight difference observed being in favor of the ground limestone. Among the 

 crops used in these experiments which were benefited by liming were corn, 

 sorghum, barley, oats, wheat, cowpeas, soy beans, velvet beans, alfalfa, red 

 clover, and alsike clover. Cotton and peanuts were adversely affected by 

 liming in tests made on 'the soils of the section of the State where each is 

 grown most extensively. The litmus test for determining the lime require- 

 ment of soils is described and recommended. 



Investigations on the fertilizing action of sulphur, A. Demolon (Compt. 

 Rend. Acad. Sci. [Paris'], 156 (1913), No. 9, pp. 725-72S). — Continuing previous 

 investigations (E. S. R., 26, p. 819), the author found that when 1 per cent 

 of sulphur was mixed with garden soil and kept moist at a temperature of 

 20° C. appreciable quantities of sulphuric acid, in form ©f calcium sulphate, 

 were produced in 40 hours. This reaction was most rapid in nonsterilized 

 soil, indicating the intervention of micro-organisms in the process. Hydrogen 

 sulphid was produced when a fermentable medium containing sulphur was 

 inoculated with soil. 



In comparative tests of sulphur, sulphuric acid, sulphurous acid, and carbon 

 bisulphid on beets, the most eft'ective in increasing the yiel^ were carbon bisul- 

 phid, sulphurous acid, and sulphur in the order named. 



