SOILS- — FERTILIZERS. 127 



" Even if it should bo proven beyond qnestion that the so-called acid soils are 

 not injnrious to the growth of certain plants because of a noxious degree of 

 acidity, but rather owing to accompanying toxic compounds, it would surely 

 be unwise to discontinue the use of the litmus paper or other tests for soil 

 acidity so long as valuable indications are afforded by them concerning the 

 need of applications of basic material." 



The relation between the effects of acid in nutrient solutions, and of 

 liming, B. L. Hartwell and F. R. Pember (Abs. in Science, n. scr., 21 {1908), 

 Xo. (iS6, p. ,2!)S). — This is an abstract of a paper presented at the Chicago meet- 

 ing of the American Chemical Society, the essential features of which are given 

 in the paper noted above. 



Analysis of a sample of synthetic calcium nitrate, N. Passerini (Bol. Iiit. 

 A(jr. Sciindicci, 2. scr., 7 (lUOS), Xo. 1, pit. 108-111). — The avei'age iiei'centage 

 fif total nitrogen found by the Ulsch and Schloesing methods was 12.9. Com- 

 plete analysis of the material showed calcium oxid 25.7 per cent, nitric anhydrid 

 4!>.7 per cent, and water of hydration 2?).T per cent. There were in addilion 

 small amounts of niti-ous acid, magnesia, and insoluble substances. 



Tennessee white phosphate (Amer. Fert., 28 (1908), Xo. 2, pp. 5-10, flgfi. 2). — 

 This article deals especially with the AVilsdorf deposits, discussing their origin 

 and extent, but also treats briefly of deposits in other parts of the district. 



Composition of ashes from Vesuvius, E. Comanducci (Oaz. Chim. ItaJ., 30 

 (J90G), II, Xo. 5-6, pp. 797-812; ahs. in Rev. Sci. [P<ins-\, 5. scr.: 8 ( 1907), Xo. 

 25, p. 787; Rev. Gen. Agron., n. scr., 3 (1908), Xo. 1, p. 2),— The analyses of 

 ashes ejected during the eruption of April 4 and 5, 1906, reported in this article 

 show that Vesuvius is a potassic volcano, the ashes containing 4.06 per cent of 

 potash. They also contain considerable amounts of phosphoric acid (0.75 per 

 cent), and some ammonia (0.03 per cent), nitrous acid (0.001 per cent), and 

 nitric acid (0.0005 per cent). It is reported that the ashes ejected in 1904 con- 

 tained as high as 1.43 per cent of phosphoric acid. These figures indicate that 

 the ashes have considerable fertilizing value as sources of potash and phos- 

 phoric acid. The more important of the other constituents of the ashes reported 

 are soda 4.63 per cent, lime 11.97 per cent, iron sesquioxid 12.29 per cent, iron 

 protoxid 2.72 per cent, alumina 16.75 per cent, and silica 43.69 per cent. 



Kainit, Jubartre {Prog. Agr. y Pccuario, 13 {1907), Xo. 561; 1^ {1908), Xo. 

 .'65, pp. J-J-J6). — Tliis article reviews, with numerous references to literature, 

 the investigations relating to the use and value of kainit as a fertilizer, insecti- 

 cide, and fungicide. The author concludes that it has been clearly demonstrated 

 that the material is of decided value for all these purposes. 



Garbage tankage, R. McMurtrie (.Anicr. Icrt., 28 (1908), Xos. 2, pp. 11-16; 

 3, pp. 5-10). — The composition t)f garbage is given and methods and machinery 

 used in treating it are described, particularly those employed in the preparation 

 of fertilizing material from garbage. 



Analyses of fertilizers for consumers, J. S. Rurd {California Sta. Circ. 36, 

 pp. 2). — The conditions under which consumers may have samples of fei'tilizers 

 examined by the station, in conformity with the State fertilizer law, are 

 explained in this circular. 



Analyses of commercial fertilizers, M. A. Scovell, H. E. Curtis, and G. 

 Roberts {Kentucky Sta. Bui. 132, pp. 111-195). — This bulletin reports analyses 

 of 636 samples of fertilizers examined during 1907. Of these " 118, representing 

 101 brands and 29 firms, fell so far below the guarantied analyses in phosphoric 

 acid, nitrogen, or potash, or any two, or all three of these ingredients, that the 

 deficiencies could not be accounted for by variations iu sampling or analysis," 



