SOILS — FERTILIZERS. 227 



air and the importance of the subject in England from the standpoint of 

 national defense and welfare. 



The utilization of peat in agriculture, H. D. Haskins {Massachusetts Sta. 

 Bpt. 1909, pt. 2, pp. 39-Jf5). — The average composition of peat as calculated 

 from analyses of 55 samples is given, with a discussion of the use and value of 

 this material as a fertilizer. Pot experiments with millet are referred to, 

 showing a low availability of the nitrogen of peat as compared with that of sul- 

 phate of ammonia. It is stated that peat has been found useful as a drier in 

 fertilizers, but in view of the low availability of the nitrogen it must be ex- 

 cluded from mixed fertilizers as a source of nitrogen. 



A new nitrog'en-containing fertilizer produced in the electric furnaces, 

 M. DE Nansouty (Engrais, 24 (1909), No. 42, p. 1164; «&s. in Chem. Abs., 4 

 {1910), No. 7, p. 944) • — ^An electrical process for the manufacture of aluminium 

 nitrid is described. This compound yields ammonia when treated with water. 



Our greatest plant food, G. E. Mitchell {Nat. Geogr. Hag., 21 {1910), No. 

 9, pp. 783-791, figs. 6). — The sources, supply, and agricultural importance of 

 phosphates, as indicated by the investigations of the Geological Survey and of 

 several of the experiment stations, are discussed. 



On the existence of three horizons of tricalcium. phosphate in Algeria and 

 Tunis, J. RoussEL {Compt. Rend. Acad. Set. [Paris}, 151 {1910), No. 11, pp. 

 556, 557). — The origin and character of three beds of phosphate alternating 

 with marl are described. 



Thomas slag: A short historical review, J. B. Lindsey {Massachusetts Sta. 

 Bpt. 1909, pt. 1, pp. 77-81). — This article summarizes information regarding 

 the composition, fertilizing value, and use of slag. 



The effect of gypsum on alkali in soils, W. F. Sutherst (Jour. Indus, and 

 Engin. Chem., 2 {1910), No. 7, pp. 329, 330, figs. 2).— Experiments in which 

 varying amounts of gypsum were mixed with pure sodium carbonate and with 

 alkali containing 24.45 per cent of sodium carbonate, 22.6 per cent of sodium 

 chlorid, and 40.05 per cent of sodium sulphate, showed that gypsum does not 

 fully convert sodium carbonate into sulphate. Using the amount of gypsum 

 which would theoretically convert all of the carbonate into sulphate, it was 

 found that 18 per cent of the sodium carbonate was not acted upon. The 

 limit of conversion was reached when 5 parts of gypsum was added to 1 part 

 •of sodium carbonate in 100 cc. of water and with 10 parts of gypsum to 1 of 

 the alkali. 



The composition of seaweed and its use as manure, E. J. Russell {Jour. 

 Bd. Agr. [London], 17 {1910), No. 6, pp. 458-467).— This article discusses the 

 use that has been made of seaweed for fertilizing purposes in various countries, 

 and the fertilizing value of seaweed as indicated by analyses made by Ander- 

 son, Hendrick (E. S. R., 10, p. 934), and Toms. Summarizing these analyses 

 it is stated that wet seaweed as gathered contains water 70 to 80 per cent, 

 average 75 per cent; organic matter 13 to 20, average 18 per cent; nitrogen 

 0.3 to 0.8, average 0.5 per cent ; potash 0.8 to 1.5, average 1.2 per cent ; and 

 phosphoric acid 0.02 to 0.17, average 0.09 per cent. 



It is estimated that on the basis of the commercial value of the nitrogen, 

 phosphoric acid, and potash present, a ton of seaweed of average composition 

 is worth about $2.50. It is closely comparable with barnyard manure as a 

 fertilizer but decomposes much more readily in the soil. It is said to facilitate 

 the decomposition of manure when mixed with it in the heap. 



The practical results of incineration of garbage to produce an ash fertil- 

 izer, T, d'Althoff {Jour. Soc. Cent. Agr. BeJg., 57 {1910), Nos. 7, pp. 181-187; 

 8, pp. 212-214). — ^A process used in Brussels and other Belgian towns is de- 

 scribed. It is stated that the process yields ashes which contain nitrogenous 



