322 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Manganese compounds as fertilizers for maize, W. F. Sutheest and H. 

 Ingle {Truii.svual Ayr. Jour., 6" U'JOS), So. 2S, j)p. Jf37, J,38, pi. J).— This article 

 briefly reviews investigations on tliis subject in Japan and Holland (E. S. R., 

 16, p. 43; 18, p. 434; 19, p. 523), and reports the results of pot experiments 

 made by the authors with manganese chlorid, black oxid of manganese (pyrolu- 

 site), and m;mgaiu'se sulphate. All of the manganese compounds increased the 

 yield, the most marked results beiug obtained with the pyrolusite. The benefit 

 derived from the use of the manganese salts is attributed to their stimulating 

 effect. 



Do manganese salts stimulate plant growth? S. Rhodin {E. Landthr. 

 Akad. Handl. och Tidskr., Jf7 iJ908), No. 1-2, pp. 30-33).— The author gives a 

 brief discussion of earlier work done with regard to a possible stimulating 

 effect of manganese salts on plant life, and describes experiments conducted 

 by himself during the period 1902 to 1906. The results of these experiments 

 were negative. 



Modern niter beds (Nature [London], 77 (1908), No. 2005, pp. 513, 51.',).— 

 This article discusses briefly the economic possibilities of the process 'proposed 

 by Miintz and Laine (E. S. R., 19, p. 524). 



Crude ammonia, Sevegrand (Rev. Vit., 29 (1908), No. 77/6, pp. 380-385). — 

 This article summarizes information regarding the value and use of this mate- 

 rial as a fertilizer, weed destroyer, and insecticide. Of the three uses named 

 the most important is as a fertilizer on account of the low price of nitrogen in 

 the material. 



On the manufacture and application of peat litter, A. E. Rautakoski 

 (Fiiiska Mos-skultiirfor. Arsltok, 1006-7, Xo. 3, pp. 192-207). — A general account. 



The extraction of potash from feldspathic rock, A. S. Cushman and P. 

 Hubbard (Jour. Avier. Cltetii. .S'oc, 30 (1908), No. 5, pp. 779-797, figs. 7). — This 

 paper presents the results of a continuation of investigations which have 

 already been noted (E. S. R., 18, p. 717; 19, p. 322), and deals especially with 

 more exact studies of the influence of the fineness of grinding on the elec- 

 trolytic decomposition of the feldspars. The results are summarized as follows : 



"(1) Fine grinding of feldspar renders the potash partly available under 

 the action of water. The addition of certain substances, such as ammonium 

 salts, lime, and gypsum, increases this effect. 



"(2) It is possible to completely extract potash by an electrolytic method 

 either with or without the addition of hydrofluoric acid, but it is probable that 

 this method could not be used commercially on account of its cost. 



"(3) The effect of fineness of grinding has been studied and data given show- 

 ing the relation of surface area to rate of decomposition. 



"(4), It is shown that there are numerous fusion methods which could be 

 used successfully if the cost were not too high. The attack on the silicates by 

 means of potash or its compounds yields some interesting reaction products 

 which might possibly be made use of. 



"(5) The attack with hydrofluoric acid is suggested as a possible method 

 that deserves further study." 



The commercial fertilizer industry, Stance (Vrtljschr. Bayer. Landiv. Rat., 

 12 (1907), No. 4, PP- 503-518). — Statistics of production and consumption of 

 fertilizer materials of different kinds in the German Empire are briefly sum- 

 marized. 



The development of the superphosphate industry in Italy, MaiziI:res 

 (EngraiH. 23 (1908), No. 1.',, pp. 32.',-325).— It is stated that the amounts of 

 phosphates imported by Italy in 1907 for the manufacture of superphosphates 

 were 338,000 metric tons from Africa and 02,000 tons from America. 



