724 EXPERIMENT STATION RECOED. 



comparatively low-grade rock is not worth extraction, and is left in to form the 

 roof of the workings. The specific gravity of the phosphate is about 2.5." 



A study of the phosphate industry, Petb£; (B^il. Econ. Gouvt. Gen. Mada- 

 gascar, 13 {1913), III, No. 3, pp. 325-328) .—nefevence is made to deposits in 

 Madagascar containing from 43 to 50 per cent of calcium phosphate. Methods 

 of testing the phosphates are described and the possible industrial and agricul- 

 tural use of the deposits is discussed. 



German Thomas meal for America, R. P. Skinner (Daily Cons, and Trade 

 Rpts. lU. S.], 17 {19U), No. 38, p. 598).— In 1912 the total export was 662,865 

 metric tons, to the United States 13,726 tons; during the first 10 months of 

 1913, 585,122 and 6,127 tons, respectively. 



The potash works of Upper Alsace (Separate from Jahresher. Indus. Gesell. 

 Miilhausen, 1912, pp. 93, pis. U, figs. i2).— This report contains information 

 regarding the discovery, geology and mineralogy, exploration (including 

 methods and machinery used and data obtained in numerous borings) and 

 exploitation of the deposits, the chemical and physical character of the natural 

 salts and the methods of purifying them, and the use of the potash salts in 

 industry and agriculture. 



Proposed substitutes for Stassfurt potash salts, H. G. Sodekbaum (Mcddel. 

 Centralanst. Forsoksv. Jordbniksomrddet, No. 86 (1913), pp. 21). — A product 

 prepared by fusing leptit with charcoal and iron filings in an electric oven at 

 1,800° C. was compared with potassium sulphate in pot experiments with barley 

 on moor soil. Its fertilizing efiiciency was 78 per cent of that of the sulphate. 

 The fused product contained about 11 per cent of potash, combined with silicic 

 acid. Of this potash the larger part was soluble in 20 per cent and about half 

 in 2 per cent hydrochloric acid. 



The fertilizing value of phonolite, P. Wagner (Deut. Landiv. Presse, 1^1 

 (1914), Nos. 4, pp. 42, 43; 5, pp. 51, 52).— Two forms of this material offered for 

 sale in Germany were tested in a series of pot experiments, the results indicat- 

 ing that phonolite is of little or no value as a fertilizer. 



On the composition of giant kelps, A. R. Merz (Jour. Indus, and Engin. 

 Chem., 6 (1914), No. 1, pp. 19, 20). — A number of analyses of samples of the 

 giant kelps of the Pacific coast is reported. These show, generally, a high per- 

 centage of potash (as much as 30 per cent in one case). It was found that the 

 ash content was almost invariably larger in the leaves than in the stems of the 

 same plant, and that the nitrogen content was almost invariably larger in the 

 laminse than in the stipe of the same plant. 



Liming of soils, L. Foksberg (Jordens Ealkning. Malmo, Sweden, 1913, pp. 

 29, pis. 9). — This discusses the action of lime in the soil and methods for deter- 

 mining the soil requirements for lime. Experiments in liming cereals and 

 mangels in sandy and clay soils showed a marked increase in yield from the 

 plat to which lime was applied in 3,000 or 6,000 kg. applications either with or 

 without commercial fertilizers in 3 different fields in Sweden, when these soils 

 showed an acid or neutral reaction. 



The gypsum and salt of Oklahoma, L. C. Snider (Okla. Geol. Survey Bui. 

 11 (1913), pp. VIII +214, pis. 3, figs. (57).— This report contains chapters on the 

 origin, properties, and occurrence in Oklahoma of deposits of gypsum, the 

 manufacture and use of gypsum products, and the salt resources of the State. 



Geology of the salt and gypsum deposits of southwestern Virginia, G. W. 

 Stose (Va. Geol. Survey Bui. 8 (1913), pp. 51-73, figs. 5).— The geology of the 

 salt and gypsum deposits occurring in Washington and Smyth counties, Va., 

 and the development of the salt and gypsum industries in this region are dis- 

 cussed. 



