528 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD, 



tions may properly commence witli tbe acid test, and soil samples that effer- 

 vesce strongly need not be further examined. Those that do not, or only 

 faintly, effervesce are examined by the litmus and Azotobacter tests, which 

 should always be made concurrently as they mutually supplement and control 

 each other. In the relatively few cases where these tests do not give a decisive 

 answer, as with neutral or faintly alkaline soils and with weak Azotobacter 

 growth, a determination of the lime soluble in ammonium chlorid solution is 

 also recommended. 



Carbonate of lime {New England Farmer, 89 {1910), Nos. 38, p. 7, fig. 1; 

 39, p. 7, fig. 1; JfO, p. 7, flg. 1; Jfl, i). 7, fig. 1; 42, pp. 7, II,; ^3, p. 7; U, P. 7, figs. 2; 

 1,5, p. 7; J,6, p. 7; 47, p. 7, figs. 2; J,S, p. 7, figs. 2; J,9, p. 7, figs. 3; 50, p. 7, 

 figs. 3). — This is a compilation of general information, results of experiments, 

 and expert opinions on carbonate of lime as a soil improver, especially on New 

 England soils. 



TJtilization of distillery vinasse, C-\xmette {Ann. Dir. Hydraul. et Am6lior. 

 .4.gr., Min. Agr. [France], 1907, No. 36, pp. 99-10 J,). — This article gives in brief 

 the results of investigations by a committee appointed to inquire into the ques- 

 tion of practical methods of purification of distillery vinasse provided it can 

 not be used in agriculture. 



An analysis is reported of a sample of vinasse which contained about 0.07 

 per cent of nitrogen, 0.18 per cent of potash, and 0.06 per cent of phosphoric 

 acid, showing that the matei'ial possesses considerable fertilizing, value. It 

 was found, however, that it could not be applied to the soil in crude condition 

 in sufficient quantity for fertilizing purposes without danger of modifjang the 

 chemical and cultural properties of the soil. Previous biological purification is 

 recommended. 



Composition and use of Henequin (sisal) pulp, A. Hebert and F. IIeim 

 {Compt. Rend. Acad. Set. [Paris], 1J,8 {1909), No. 8, pp. 513, 5i//).— This pulp, 

 obtained in the process of preparing sisal fiber in Yucatan, was found to contain 

 when air-dried 12.11 per cent of ash, 3.79 per cent of nitrogen, O.IG per cent of 

 phosphoric acid, 1.22 per cent of potash, and 3.57 per cent of lime, showing that 

 the material has considerable value as a fertilizer. Analysis also showed G.29 

 per cent of reducing sugars and 4.G5 per cent of nonreducing sugars, which 

 might be profitably utilized in the manufacture of alcohol. 



The air-dried sisal fiber contained 8.02 per cent of ash, 1.78 per cent of 

 nitrogen, 0.41 per cent of phosphoric acid. 1.06 per cent of potash, and 1.94 

 per cent of lime. These figures, taken in connection with those for the pulp, 

 show that the draft of sisal on the fertility of the soil would be greatly reduced 

 if the pulp were returned to the soil as a fertilizer. 



Analyses and valuations of commercial fertilizers and ground bone, C. S. 

 Cathcart et al. {New Jersey Stas. Bui. 23/,, pp. 39). — This bulletin supple- 

 ments Bulletin 233 of the station (E. S. R., 24, p. 428) and discusses the results 

 of inspection for 1910 as a whole. 



The total number of samples of fertilizing materials examined during the 

 year was 803. representing 370 dealers. The average amount of nitrogen found 

 in 520 brands of fertilizers was 2.52 per cent, the amount guarantied being 2.46 

 per cent; the amount of phosphoric acid found was 7.4 per cent, the amount 

 guarantied 7.41 per cent; and the amount of potash found was 6.58 per cent, 

 the amount guarantied 6.07 per cent. The number of deficiencies found in 

 these fertilizers was 51 of nitrogen, 142 of phosphoric acid, and 45 of potash, 

 representing 15.3 per cent of the total possible number of deficiencies. 



