26 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



potassium sulphate^! decreased the solubility of iron phosphate. The action of 

 magnesium sulphate and sodium, potassium, and magnesium chlorids was 

 small and varied with the kind of phosphate. The addition of soil increased 

 the solvent action of the various salts, especially that of ammonium nitrate. 



The method of procedure in these experiments was to treat 2 gm. of the phos- 

 phate with 500 cc. of 1 per cent solution of the various substances used except 

 in the case of calcium sulphate, which was used in saturated solution. The 

 mixture of solvent and phosphate was allowed to stand for from 10 to 14 

 hours with occasional shaking. 



The article contains a bibliography of 5!) references to the literature of the 

 subject. 



Effect of lime upon the solubility of soil constituents, E. W. Gaither 

 {Jour. Indus, and Engin. Chem., 2 (1910), No. 7, pp. 315, 316; ahs. in Jour. Soc. 

 Chem. Indus., 29 {1910). No. 15, p. 967). — Experiments are here reported from 

 which the author concludes that " lime renders insoluble phosphates in the soil 

 soluble, by replacing iron and aluminum, which is in combination with the 

 phosphorus and renders all three more soluble in fifth-normal nitric acid. Lime 

 breaks up certain silicates in soils and renders them more soluble in fifth- 

 normal nitric acid, but does not act upon insoluble potassium compounds in the 

 soil to such an extent that fifth-normal nitric acid can be used as a measure 

 of such potassium. The addition of caustic lime to soils has the effect of dimin- 

 ishing the amount of potash assimilated by wheat grown on such soils. The 

 theory held ' that lime added to the soil increases the amount of available pot- 

 ash in the soil ' is either erroneous, or requires more positive proof than has 

 heretofore been obtained before it can be accepted." 



Magnesia in agriculture, Rigaux et al. {Jour. Soc. Cent. Agr. Belg., 57 

 {1910), Nos. 5, pp. 111-118; 7, pp. lSS-192) .—The results of experiments by 

 various investigators are cited to show that magnesia is an indispensable and 

 very important element in the growth of plants. 



Experiments on the fertilizing value of manganese sulphate, A. Carlieb 

 and Clausen {Ann. (lembloux, 20 {1910), No. 8, pp. Jt23-Ji26 ; lUus. Landw. Ztg., 

 SO {1910), Nos. 7 4, p. 701; 77, p. 729). — Field experiments on grass, potatoes, 

 and beets with varying amounts of manganese sulphate in combination with 

 other fertilizing materials did not show any appreciable benefit from the use 

 of the sulphate as far as increased yields were concerned. The use of the 

 sulphate on grass was followed by a very marked improvement in the color of 

 the grass but there was no ultimate increase in yield. 



Commercial fertilizers, W. J. Jones, Jr., E. G. Proulx, and C. W. Rice {Indi- 

 ana Sta. Bui. IJ/S, pp. 631-726, map 1). — This bulletin contains a summary of 

 the Indiana fertilizer law, notes on the administration of the law, a map show- 

 ing the distribution of the fertilizer trade in the State, estimated sales in 1909 

 as compared with 190S and 1900, a brief statement regarding home mixing of 

 fertilizers, a review of the results of inspection for the 8 years 1902 to 1909, 

 and a report of the results of inspection in 1909, including analyses of 970 

 samples of fertilizing materials representing 85 companies. A comparison is 

 also made of the standing of different manufacturers with regard to compliance 

 with guaranties, and prices used in the valuation of fertilizers are given. 



" The results of the inspection continue to show improvement over that of 

 previous years and taken as a whole the samples secured in 1909 more nearly 

 meet the requirements of the law than those secured in any previous year 

 covered by the inspection .... Based on the number of samples analj'zed the 

 results justify the conclusion that in the majority of cases manufacturers are 

 maintaining their guaranties," although " the results still indicate that too 



