136 EXPERIMENT STATION EECOED. 



phosphoric acid, potassium and potash, nitrogen and ammonia, and calcium and 

 lime for certain amounts containing equal quantities of the elements named. 



Commercial fertilizers, J. S. Burd {California Stu. Bui. 206, pp. 51). — This 

 bulletin reports the results of inspection work (including analyses and valua- 

 tions) of the California Fertilizer Control for the fiscal year ended June 30, 

 1910. 



Tabulated analyses of commercial fertilizers, W. Frear (Penn. Dept. 

 Agr. Bui. 189, pp. 71). — This bulletin gives the results of fertilizer inspection 

 in Pennsylvania from August 1 to December 31, 1909. 



[Fertilizer manufacturers and importers and licensed fertilizers in Penn- 

 sylvania] (Penn. Dept. Agr. Bid. 191, pp. 37). — This is a list of fertilizer manu- 

 facturers and Importers and of the brands of fertilizers which were licensed 

 for sale in Pennsylvania during 1910. 



AGRICULTURAL BOTANY. 



The plant life of Maryland, F. Shreve, M, A. Chrysler, F. II. Blodgett, and 

 F. W. Besley {Md. Waillicr Scrv. Spec. Pub., 3 (1910), pp. 533, jyls. 39, dgms. 3, 

 maps 12). — This is an ecological study of the plant life of Maryland in which 

 the influence of climate and physiography on the occurrence and distribution of 

 plants is shown. Chapters are also given pointing out the relation of natural 

 vegetation to crop possibilities, the agricultural features of Maryland, and the 

 forests and their products. 



Additional notes on the number and distribution of native legumes in 

 Nebraska and Kansas, J. A. Warren (U. »S'. Dept. Agr., Bur. Plant Indus. 

 Circ. 70, PI). 8). — These studies are in continuation of those previously reported 

 (E. S. R., 21, p. 424) and were made to determine whether all the native 

 legumes are concerned in nitrogen gathering. 



Practically all the prairie species of the region investigated have been ex- 

 amined and nodules found in abundance in every one, although they seemed 

 to be more numerous on some species than on others. In general, there seemed 

 to be many more nodules on annuals in proportion to the size of the roots 

 than on pterennial plants. 



The author notes the occurrence of nodules on the buffalo berry (Lepar- 

 gyrcea argentea). Analyses of the material showed the roots to contain 0.43 

 per cent nitrogen, while the nodules gave 2.31 per cent. This large increase 

 in nitrogen in the nodules, together with the fact that bacteria have been 

 isolated from them, indicates that this plant can be considered as a nitrogen- 

 gathering one. 



The indigenous species of cereals found in Palestine and Syria, A. Aaron- 

 soHN {Verhandl. K. K. Zool. Bot. Gesell. Wien, 59 {1909), No. 10, pp. 485- 

 509). — The author reports having found indigenous to Palestine and Syria 

 Triticum dicoccoides, T. monococcum wgilopoides, Hordeum spontaneum, and 

 Secale montanum, which he believes to be the prototypes from which were 

 developed our races of cultivated wheat, barley, and rye. A previous account 

 of his discoveries has been noted elsewhere (E. S. II.. 23, p. 533). 



The use of the spectroscope in the study of plant life, G. Hensi.ow {Jour. 

 Roy. Hort. Soc. [London], 36 {1910), No. 1, pp. 8:2-97).— The author contributes 

 to the study of the relative effects of different parts of the solar spectrum on 

 the transpiration of plants, the experiments showing the effect on transpiration 

 in comparison with the loss of water by evaporation. 



After several attempts the author finally adopted the i)lan of growing small 

 plants in miniature pots, covering them with rubber sheeting, which was bound 



