222 EXPERIMENT STATION EECORD. 



It is concluded that the utilization of slowly soluble phosphates is largely 

 regulated by the amount of water present in the soil during the growing 

 season, being greater in moist than in dry soil, and also that bone meal can not 

 be satisfactorily used on basic soils. Although little tested, Algerian phos- 

 phate is classed with bone meal. 



Origin of the hard rock phosphates of Florida, E. H. Sellards {Fla. Geol. 

 Survey Ami. Rpt., 5 (1912), pp. 23-80, pis. 10).— The nature and location of the 

 hard rock phosphate deposits are described and theories of their origin are 

 discussed. 



As regards the origin of these deposits the author holds " that the matrix 

 of the hard rock phosphate deposits is the residue of the formations that have 

 disintegrated in situ, and that the phosphate itself is derived from the phos- 

 phate originally widely disseminated through these formations, circulating 

 waters being the agency by which the phosphate has been carried to its present 

 location." 



An extensive bibliography of the subject is given. 



Production of phosphate rock in Florida during 1913, E. H. Sellards (Fla. 

 Geol. Survey Ann. Rpt., 5 (1912), pp. 291-294).— The statistics of production of 

 different kinds of phosphate rock in Florida in 1912 and several preceding years 

 are summarized. A list of phosphate manufacturing companies operating in 

 the State during that year is also given. 



Consumption of superphosphates in Hungary, B. Kovacsy (Kozielek [Buda- 

 pest], 23 (1913), No. 42, pp. 1532, 1533; ads. in Internat. Inst. Agr. [Rome], Mo. 

 Bui. Agr. Intel, and Plant Diseases, 4 (1913), No. 8, p. 1201).— The data re- 

 ported show a marked increase in the consumption of commercial fertilizers, 

 especially superphosphates, which constitute 80 per cent of the total amount 

 of chemical fertilizers employed. The use of superphosphate varies from | to 

 72 lbs. per acre of cultivated area in different parts of the country. 



Calcium pyrophosphate, A. Menozzi (Indus. Chim., 13 (1913), pp. 261, 262; 

 aT)S. in Jour. Soc. Cheni. Indus., 32 (1913), No. 19, p. 953). — When phosphorite 

 was heated with moist sulphur dioxid in presence of air there was obtained 

 a fine white powder consisting of calcium sulphate and pyrophosphate. The 

 properties of this product are described and it is stated that it is as effective 

 as a fertilizer as superphosphate or basic slag. It is not proposed, however, 

 that it be used as a fertilizer in this form, but that it be converted into super- 

 phosphate by treatment with sulphuric acid. By this treatment a product is 

 obtained which is of lower acidity than ordinary superphosphate. 



The degree of fineness of fertilizer lime, D. Meyer (III us. Landw. Ztg., 33 

 (1913), No. 84, p. 755). — The author concludes from the examination of a large 

 number of samples of agricultural lime that not less than 70 per cent of such 

 lime should pass a sieve with meshes 0.2 mm. in diameter, and that not more 

 than 75 per cent of the particles passing a 0.5 mm. sieve should be larger than 

 0.2 mm. in diameter. The particles larger than 0.5 mm. but smaller than 1 mm. 

 should not exceed 25 to 50 per cent. 



Evolution of sulphur in the soil: A study of its oxidation, C. Brioux and 

 M. GuERBET (Compt. Rend. Acad. Sci. [Paris], 156 (1913), No. 19, pp. 1476- 

 1479; Ann. Sci. Agron., 4. ser., 2 (1913), II, No. 4, pp. 385-396; abs. in Rev. Sci. 

 [Paris], 51 (1913), I, No. 21, p. 668; Jour. Cliem. Soc. [London], 104 (1913), 

 No. 609, I, p. 811; Chem. Zentbl., 1913, II, No. 4, p. 575).— The author studied 

 the influence of the character of the soil and of certain carbohydrates on the 

 oxidation of sulphur. 



Sugar and starch appreciably retarded oxidation, while peptone and other 

 nitrogenous substances favored it to such an extent that 82 per cent of the 

 sulphur was oxidized in 30 days. The oxidation of the sulphur was due to 



