626 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



reported which shows 0.32 per cent of phosphoric acid, 0.29 per cent of potash, 

 3.12 per cent of lime, and 0.27 per cent of nitrogen. The composition of the 

 mud was very similar to that of surrounding soil, although it was somewhat 

 richer in calcium and magnesium carbonates and poorer in nitrogen. The phos- 

 phoric acid of the mud was also somewhat more soluble in citric acid than 

 that of the soil, and the potash soluble in 10 per cent hydrochloric acid was 

 double that of the soil. The analysis in general, however, does not indicate 

 any high fertilizing value for the mud. 



Commercial fertilizers, W. J. Jones, Jr., et Ai. (Indiatia Hta. Bui. 166, pp. 

 833-950, fig. 1). — This is a detailed report of inspection of fertilizers in Indiana 

 during 1912 which included analyses of 1 -20 samples. The results show that 

 the quality of fertilizers sold in 1912 was better than in any previous year. It 

 is estimated that the consumption of fertilizers in the State in that year was 

 143,678 tons, valued at $3,465,636. 



Analyses of commercial fertilizers, B. L. Hartwell et al. {Rhode Island 

 Sta. Insp. Bui., 1913, June, pp. 8). — ^This bulletin contains analyses and valua- 

 tions of each fertilizer collected in the spring of 1913 in the brand name of 

 which the word " potato " occurs, as well as of a few other brands used for 

 potatoes and vegetables. It also contains the analyses of bones, fish, and 

 tankage similarly collected. 



The Missouri fertilizer law, F. B. Mumford (Missouri Sta. Circ. 58, pp. 185- 

 188). — This is a reprint of the law approved March 14, 1903. 



AGKICULTITRAL BOTANY. 



Twenty-five years of botany in Iowa, T. H. Macbeide (Proc. Iowa Acad. 

 Set., 19 {1912), pp. 43-68). — This address on botanical progress concludes with 

 extensive bibliogriipbies of contributions, mainly from Iowa, on bacteriology, 

 ecology, physiology, economic botany, seeds, morphology, mycology, paleobotany, 

 and taxonomy. 



Native dye plants and tan plants of Iowa, with notes on a few other 

 species, Harriette S. Kellogg {Proc. Iowa Acad. Sci., 19 {1912), pp. 113-128). — 

 Lists of plants useful in making different dyes are given, along with a bibliog- 

 raphy of the more easily accessible titles on the subject, including some of the 

 older works. 



Botanical features of the Algerian Sahara, W. A. Cannon {Carnegie Inst. 

 Washington Put). 178, 1913, pp. VI+81, pis. 37).— A report is given of field 

 work in southern Algeria in 1910 and 1911, the object of which was to examine 

 the physiological conditions prevalent in that region and to make some detailed 

 studies of the root habits of the most striking species of the native flora. 



Comparing the most striking characteristics of the vegetation of Algerian 

 Sahara with that of the Tuscon. Ariz., region where the Desert Laboratory 

 is situated, the author considers the first as strictly desert, while Arizona is 

 semidesert. The topography and vegetation of the 2 regions are said to have 

 little that is similar and much that is different. In Arizona, where soil condi- 

 tions are favorable for plants and the water supply not too meager, a peren- 

 nial floi'a of some sort is supported, in marked contrast with the flora of the 

 northern Sahara. 



In conclusion the author states that plants with a water-balance are wanting 

 in southern Algeria, while they constitute one of the striking features of the 

 flora of the southwestern United States. 



The coeflicient of humidity: A new method of expressing- the soil moisture, 

 W. B. Cbump {New Phptol.. 12 {1913), No. 4-5. pp. 126-1/(7. tig. O-— The author 

 proposes that in investigations of soil moisture in relation to plant association 



