I^H EXPERIMENT STATIOK feECORt). (Vol. 43 



Chemical fertilizers in Italian agriculture, Borghesani (Vie Agr. et 

 Iturulc, 9 (1920), No. 21, pp. 1^-19, fiys. 9). — A general review is given of the 

 fertilizer resources of Italy and of the consumption and practical use of different 

 types. 



Sodium nitnito, ammonium sulphate, and calcium cyanamid are the three 

 most important nitrogenous fertilizers used. Superphosphate and Thomas s"ag 

 are the most important phosphatic fertilizers, although some bone meal and 

 guano are used. It is stated that an immense reserve of potash exists in Italy 

 in the different natural resources, of which the mineral leucite is considered to 

 be an important source. 



The nutrient content of water supply and its utilization, H. Fischer 

 (Natunc. Ztschr. Forst u. Landw., 18 (1920), No. 3-4, pp. 66-83).— Analyses of 

 lake, river, and pond waters of Germany are reported and discussed, with par- 

 ticular reference to their content in potash, phosphoric acid, nitrogen, and lime. 



The fertilizing value of rain and snow, F. T. Siiutt (Canada Expt. Farms 

 Rpt. 1919, p. 51). — A summary of the analyses of SI samples of rain and 29 

 samples of snow, representing a total precipitation of 35.59 in. for the year, indi- 

 cate that the total nitrogen supplied thereby was 5.845 lbs. per acre. 



The nitrate industry of Chile (U. S. Dept. Com., Bur. Foreign and Dom. 

 Com., Com. Rpts. No. 122 (1920), pp. 1093-1103).— This is a report on the general 

 features of the mining and refining of Chilean nitrate, together with a discussion 

 of business organization and finances. 



It is stated that two grades of nitrates are now produced, namely, a 95 per 

 cent nitrate, which is used for fertilizer purposes, and a 96 per cent nitrate, 

 used for manufactuLing purposes. Imports of sodium nitrate into the United 

 States for the year 1919 were 407.459 long tons. Apparently a relatively small 

 proportion of the nitrate imported into the United States from Chile is used for 

 fertilizer purposes. 



Potash, an American war industry, T. G. Palmer (Washington: Author, 

 1919, pp. 20).— Considerable general information on the development and present 

 status of the American potash industries and on the past history of the German 

 potash industry, particularly during the war years, is given. The present is 

 considered to be the most critical period in the history of the newly developed 

 American potash industry. The great bulk of present American potash produc- 

 tion is said to be based upon inflated war prices and can not be profitably con- 

 tinued if prices drop materially. 



A list of producers of potash reporting to the U. S. Geological Survey in 1918 

 Is included. ^ 



Potash deposits in Spain, H. S. Gale (U. S. Geol. Survey Bui. 715-A (1920), 

 pp. 16, pis. 3, figs. 3). — This is a report of a general survey of the potash de- 

 posits in Spain. The main area is about 75 miles long, and consists of an irregu- 

 lar belt with a maximum width of between 15 and 18 miles. 



The principal discoveries of potash have been made in the immediate vicinity 

 of the villages of Cardona and Suria. It is stated that evidence of the existence 

 of potash in the Cardona deposit is not very definite, probably because of the 

 lack of adequate investigation. The existence of potash in considerable amounts 

 has been demonstrated in the Suria deposits. In this deposit there are in gen- 

 eral two beds of carnallite and a lower bed of sylvinite. The carnallite zone, 

 containing workable beds 3 meters or more in thickness, averages 12 per cent of 

 potash, and the sylvinite, in beds of 2 meters or more in thickness, is reported 

 to average at least 20 per cent of potash. The Snria area covers about S,G4S 

 acres, and an estimate places the potential production at about 200,000,000 tons 

 of pure potash. 



The general geology and ownership of the deposits are discussed. 



