332 EXPERIMENT STATION BECOED. 



contains 1 mg. of radium, it is pointed out that in previous experiments by 

 Hopkins and Sachs (E. S. R., 32, p. S21) the maximum application of 1 mg. of 

 radium at a cost of $100 per acre only doubled the radium content of the soil. 

 It is further estimated that the amount of radium emanation given off by the 

 soil was from 50 to 100 times as much as that given off by the radium in the 

 upper 5-in. layer, and that 75 mg. of radium per acre, costing $7,500, will be 

 required to double this amount. 



The radio-activity of spring water, R. R. Ramsey {Amer. Jour. Set., 4. ser., 

 40 (1915), No. 237, pp. 809-313). — Tests of the waters of farm springs and of 

 drilled, driven, and dug wells showed that the radio-activity of 4 Ohio wells 

 varied from 70X10"" curies per liter to 200X10"^ curies per liter, of 9 Ohio 

 springs from 100X10"" curies per liter to 610X10"" curies per liter, and of 28 

 Indiana springs from 77X10"" curies per liter to 2,150X10'" curies per liter. 

 The emanation content of the springs varied with the flow, some of the higher 

 values being obtained from wet weather springs. 



Activated sludge in America, W. N. Baker {Engin. Neus, 74 {1915), No. 4. 

 pp. 164-171, figs. 5; abs. in Chem. Abs., 9 (1915), No. 17, p. 241I).— Tests at 

 several experimental plants of the process of treating sewage by aeration in a 

 tank in the presence of an accumulation of aerated sludge are reported. 



The results indicate the possibility of obtaining a high degree of clarifica- 

 tion and perhaps bacterial reduction, with a stable effluent and a quick-drying 

 sludge of a high fertilizing value. 



The production of peat in 1914, C A. Davis {U. S. Geol. Survey, Mineral 

 Resources of the United States Calendar Year 1914, pt. 2, pp. 575-585). — This 

 report describes the formation and occurrence of peat, discu.=!.ses its various 

 uses, and gives data on production and use in this country and in Europe. 



It is stated that the peats of the United States are very rich in combined 

 nitrogen, many of them exceeding 2 per cent and some containing more than 3 

 per cent of the total dry weight. The most successful peat industry so far 

 attempted in the United States is said to be that of preparing peat for use as a 

 fertilizer or as a fertilizer filler. Black, thoroughly decomposed peat Is consid- 

 ered most satisfactory for this purpose. 



The quantity of peat sold for use as fertilizer during 1914 was 14,962 short 

 tons, as fertilizer filler 22,207 tons, and for fuel and miscellaneous purposes 

 9,364 tons. 



Report of analyses of commercial fertilizers, (La. Dcpt. Agr. and Jmmtgi. 

 Fert. Rpt. 1913-14, pp. 122). — This bulletin contains actual analyses, made at 

 the Louisiana State Experiment Station, of 8,958 .samples of fertilizers and 

 fertilizing materials offered for sale In Louisiana in 1913-14, together with their 

 guaranties. 



Commercial fertilizers, J. L. Hills and C. H. Jones, C. G. Wllliamson, and 

 G. F. Anderson {Vermont Sta. Bui. 190 {1915), pp. 585-459).— Actual and guar- 

 antied analy.^^es and valuation of 173 samples of fertilizers and fertilizing ma- 

 terials offered for sale In Vermont during 1915 are reported, showing tlwit S3 

 per cent of the brands met their guaranties. " The quality of the crude stock 

 used seemed to be beyond reproach, save as regards the organic nitrogen in a 

 few brands." 



Data on the relation between selling price and valuation of fertilizers Indi- 

 cate that during the year " one dollar In three spent for mixed fertilizers was 

 paid to the manufacturer, railroad, and selling agent for their work, while 

 but two of the three were paid for plant food. But 55 cts.' worth of plant food 

 was bought for a dollar In average low-priced goods, and 63 cts.* worth In 

 medium-priced goods. The average high-priced brand, however, afforded 70 

 cts.' worth for a dollar." 



