SOILS FERTILIZERS. 821 



Fertilizers and fertilizing, M. Hoffmann (Jahresber. Landw., 27 (1912), 

 pp. 60-94). — A classified review is given of recent reports of investigations on 

 this subject. 



Agricultural fertilizers and fish life, W. J. A. Buttebfield (Field, 1913, May 

 17; abs. in Jour. Soc. Chem. Indus., 32 (1913), No. 11, p. 618; Chem. A6$., 7 

 (1913), No. 20, p. 352.'f). — Calcium nitrate, superphosphate, basic slag, potas- 

 sium chorid and sulphate, kainit, sodium nitrate, guano, ammonium sulphate, 

 calcium cyanamid, lime, and the drainage from stable manure were added to 

 water containing gudgeon in amounts approximating normal applications of 

 these materials as fertilizers, the object being to determine the possible injury 

 to fish from application of fertilizers to soils draining into the ponds and 

 streams in which the fish occur. 



The results show that there is no reason to fear injury to fish life from 

 normal applications of calcium nitrate, superphosphate, basic slag, potassium 

 chlorid and sulphate, kainit, sodium nitrate, and guano. Injury was observed, 

 however, in the case of applications of lime (except in small quantities), 

 cyanamid, ammonium sulphate, and liquid manure, and it is believed that the 

 application of these substances to land draining directly into small fish ponds 

 and streams may be followed by harmful results. 



The first five years' results of long-time continuous experiments with 

 fertilizers, Clausen (Landk. WcJinhJ. ScJUes. Hoist., 63 (1913), No. 33, pp. 636- 

 642, figs. Jf). — The experiments were made on small plats of sandy and loam 

 soils with potatoes in 190S, oats in 1909, buckwheat in 1910, rye in 1911, and 

 potatoes in 1912. 



The results indicated in general greater advantage from the use of fertilizers 

 on sandy soils than on loam soils. The most uniformly and continuously effect- 

 ive fertilizer was a complete one. The results with incomplete fertilizers were 

 irregular and not conclusive. The potash salts used seemed to be positively 

 injurious to buckwheat. 



Soil and fertility, A. Wenz (Dakota Fanner, 33 (1913), Nos. 10, pp. 619, 620; 

 11, pp. 659, 660, figs. 2; 12, pp. 695, 696; 13, pp. 727, 728; U, p. 759; 15, p. 791; 

 16, p. 823; 17, pp. 856, S57).— The demonstration experiments with fertilizers 

 made along the route of one of the railroads of the Northwest are critically 

 reviewed. 



The relation of fertilizer consumption to crop production, B. W. Kilgore 

 (Amer. Fert., 39 (1913), No. 8, pp. 54-60). — In this address special emphasis is 

 laid upon the need of better adaptation of fertilizers to crops and soils as shown 

 by carefully conducted experiments. 



The future of the fertilizer industry in the United States, F. K. Cameron 

 (Atncr. Fcrt., 39 (1913), No. 8, pp. 66-68, fig. 1).—It is suggested in this paper 

 that to successfully meet new conditions which are imminent in the fertilizer in- 

 dustry fertilizer manufacturers should provide for more technical assistance 

 than they now command, " possibly by the foundation of a research laboratory " 

 under their auspices and direction. 



The commercial value of nitrogen, P. Messier (Ann. Sci. Agron., 4. scr., 2 

 (1913), II, No. 2, pp. 138-141). — The bearing of solubility (and hence assimila- 

 bility), character of associated substances, and certain secondary considera- 

 tions, such as physical properties of the compounds, is briefly discussed. 



The utilization of atmospheric nitrogen by natural and artificial means, 

 F. Marshall (Naturwisscnscliaften. 1 (1913), Nos. 33, pp. 791-795; 34, pp. 805- 

 809). — ^A technical review of the subject is given. 



