420 expeeimejSTt station eecord. 



" Mangel-wurzels from certain of the plats were analyzed each year from 

 1907 to 1910. The yields of this crop showed as a rule that, even with the full 

 ration of sodium, the quarter ration of potassium was not sufficient for maxi- 

 mum growth, and that in many cases the same was true of even a half ration. 

 A reduction from the full to the quarter ration of sodium in connection with the 

 Quarter ration of potassium usually depressed the yield. 



" The average differences, with the different rations and series, indicated in 

 most cases a tendency toward a depression in both the total and reducing sugar 

 as a result of the addition of sodium ; these differences, however, were usually 

 within the limit of error, and furthermore were the resultants in many cases 

 of individual increases as well as decreases in the percentage of sugar. A 25 

 per cent increase in yield of beets was not an unusual result of adding sodium 

 manures, so that even if the percentage of sugar were slightly depressed the 

 amount produced would be much increased. 



" Partial shading in order to produce conditions similar to those existing in 

 cloudy weather did not alter the sugar content of mangels in a conclusive way. 



"Although the substitution of sodium for potassium materially decreased the 

 growth of potatoes, the percentage of starch, hydrolyzed by acid was not 

 changed. The percentage of nitrogen, however, was increased and the ash 

 decreased by the substitution. The increase in the nitrogen was shown to be 

 due to the omission of potassium rather than to the addition of sodium ; the 

 increase was also quite general in other root crops." 



Inspection of commercial fertilizers, F. B. Mumford and P. F. Trowbridge 

 (Missouri Sta. Bui. 109, pp. 139-111). — Analyses and valuations of some 700 

 samples of fertilizers inspected under state law during 1912 are reported and 

 discussed. 



Analyses of licensed commercial fertilizers, 1913, F. W. Woll {Wisconsin 

 Sta., Circ. Inform. 44. PP- i'^)- — The guarantied and actual analyses of ferti- 

 lizers inspected during the year are reported with explanatory notes on the 

 results of inspection. The text of the state fertilizer law is also included. 



Manures and feeding stuffs: A scheme of compensation under the Scotch 

 Agricultural Holdings Acts, J. Milne (Scot. Farmer, 21 (19 IS), Nos. 1062, 

 pp. 438, 439; 1063, p. 466; 1064, pp. 491, 492; 1065, p. 516).— The difficulties of 

 securing just valuations for compensation under these acts are discussed. 



AGHtlCTTLTURAL BOTANY. 



The living plant, W. F. Ganong (New York, 1913, pp. ZII+478, table 1, 

 pis. 3, figs. 178). — As indicated by the title, this book treats of the plant as a 

 living organism, describing and interpreting its functions and structures so far 

 as they come within ordinary observation and experience. The author has not 

 attempted to treat the subject exhaustively, as he says the book is not pri- 

 marily intended for botanists but for students. Many observations and hypothe- 

 ses of recent discovery are purposely omitted, the author preferring a safe 

 conservatism rather than a radical acceptance of many of the newer ideas. 



Extensive use is made of diagrams and generalized and conventionalized 

 drawings to explain many phenomena, and it is believed their use will mate- 

 rially aid in giving a proper conception of some of the functions and activities 

 that are otherwise difficult to explain to beginners in plant physiology. 



The cause of growth in plants, II, G. A. Boeowikow (Biochem. Ztschr., 50 

 (1913), No. 1-2, pp. ii9-i28).— Continuing work previously noted (E. S. R., 

 29, p. 26), the author states that salts of weak bases, favoring ready hydrolysis, 

 are promotive of plant growth and that these are but slightly retardative in 

 high concentrations, in this respect differing greatly from the salts of stronger 



