l*>-<)] AGRICULTURAL BOTANY. 129 



This work, taken In coniuK-tion with the !il)ove report, is taken to indicate 

 that in using lime euipliasis .should l)e laid on its power to make conditions 

 favorable for the or};;anisms associated with leguminous crops rather than on 

 its power simply to neutralize soil acids. 



Two references to literature bearing on the subject are included. 



Feat industry reference book, F. T. Gissing {London: Charles Griffin d 

 Co., Ltd., 1:120. pp. XXIV+2H2, fUjs. 50).— This is a compilation of scientific 

 data on the obtaining and industrial utilization of peat, and includes a digest of 

 reports from Canada, the United States, South America, Swi'den, Norway, and 

 France. It consists of eight sections. Section I deals with the formation, 

 classification, and composition of peat. Sections following deal with the work- 

 ing of peat, the treatment of raw material, peat and peat products as solid 

 fuel, distillation of peat, and peat gas. The hirgest single section is devoted to 

 uses and products of peat other than fuel, including its use as a fertilizer, as 

 a fertilizer carrier, as bacterized peat, and as a source of nitrogen. A final 

 section gives miscellaneous information, formulas, and tables. 



Inspection of commercial fertilizers in Missouri, 1J>19, F. B. Mumford 

 and L. D. Haigh (Missouri Sta. Bui. 16S (1920), pp. 3-5.5). — Tliis bulletin con- 

 tains the results of actual and guarantied analyses and valuations of 383 

 samples of fertilizers and fertilizer materials offered for sale in Missouri dur- 

 ing 1919, together with data on the power of limestones and similar ma- 

 terials to neutralize soil acidity, and a list of brands and guarantied analyses 

 of fertilizers registered and offered for sale in IMissouri foi* 1920. 



Results of the analyses of the fertilizer samples are taken to indicate that 

 normal conditions in the manufacturing control of fertilizers have very nearly 

 returned. The improvement in meeting guaranties has obtained for all con- 

 stituents except total phosphoric acid. Apparently the difhculties in keeping 

 lliis constituent up to the guaranty are not yet eliminated. Out of the 383 

 saniples analyzed, G4, or 16.7 per cent, gave a valuation below the guaranty. 



Fertilizer registrations for 1920, C. S. Cathcart (New Jersey Sias. Bui. 

 S.'fl (1920), pp. 5-38). — This bullletin contains a list of fertilizers and fertilizer 

 materials registered for sale in New Jersey for the year 1920, together with 

 their guaranties. 



Connnerciai fertilizers, R. H. Robinson (Oregon Sla. Circ. 21 (1920), pp. 

 J5). — This bulletin reports the results of analyses under the Oregon State 

 fertilizer inspection law of 57 samples of fertilizers and fertilizing materials, 

 6 saniples of land plaster, and 1 sample of lime.stone offered for sale in the 

 State during 1919. 



The consumer is advised to purchase high-grade fertilizer, that is, a fer- 

 tilizer having a total plant-nutrient content of 14 per cent or above. 



AGRICULTURAL BOTANY. 



On the floras of certain islets outlying from Stewart Lsland (Xew Zea- 

 land). .T. C. Willis (.-i»«. Dot. [London], 33 (1919), No. 132. pp. 479-^84, fig. 

 1). — Illustrative data with di.scussion are offered in support of the claim that, 

 for restricted areas like New Zealand and its neighboring islands, age and 

 area can bo relied upon to explain the general composition of any floras that 

 may occur. 



The role of sedges in some Colorado plant communities, F. Ramaley 

 {Atner. Jour. Bot., 6 (1919), No. S, pp. 120-130, figs. 2).— This is a report of 

 studies in all the life zones from the plains to alpine heights in northern 

 Colorado. 



I 



