732 



EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



In experiments made by a representative of the Tasmaniaii government in 

 the preparation of the dried fish fertilizer a product was obtained containing 

 per cent of nitrogen and 5.77 per cent of phosjihoric acid. 



On the composition of the ash of a New South Wales seaweed, Ecklonia 

 exasperata, and the percentage of iodin present, C J. White (Jour, and 

 Proc. Roy. Sac. N. 8. Wales, J,! {1901), pp. i>5-9i)) .—ThQ ash of Ecklonia exas- 

 perata was found to contain potash 24.59, soda 18.15, lime 5.5, magnesia 5.19, 

 phosphoric acid 0.75, sulphuric acid 14.98, chlorln 15.62, and lodln 0.89 per cent. 



Analyses of soils, guanos, and other fertilizing materials ( Mem. Dir. 

 Fomento [Pe7-u'\, 1907-8, vol. 1, pp. 62-69). — Mechanical and chemical analyses 

 of a number of samples of soil from different parts of Peru, and chemical 

 analyses of guanos and other fertilizing materials are given in tables. 



Commercial fertilizers and chemicals, T. (i. Hudson, R. E. Stallings. kt al. 

 (Bui. Qa. Dept. Acjr., 1908, No. 1,6, pp. 207).— This report gives the text of the 

 State fertilizer laws and rulings of the commissioner of agriculture under the 

 law. general information relating to the culture and fertilizing of various 

 crops, to methods of feeding stock and amount, and to character of feeding 

 stuffs sold in Georgia, and analyses and valuations of 1,822 brands of fertilizers 

 inspected up to August 1, 1907, representing estimated sales of about 840.000 

 tons. 



The new Ohio [fertilizer] law (A))icr. Fert., 29 (1908), Xo. 2, pp. 10, 11).— 

 This law took effect November 1, 1908. Its enfoi'cement is placed in the hands 

 of the secretary of the State board of agriculture. 



AGRICULTURAL BOTANY. 



Botanical features of North American deserts, 1>. T. IMacDoitoal (Cftrnrf/ie 

 Inst. WdsJiiiHiton Pub. 99, pp. Ill, pis. 62, pgs. 6). — A descrii)tion is given of the 

 desert regions of North America, particular attention being paid to those 

 between Texas and California and extending into Mexico. The geology of the 

 region in the vicinity of Tucson, Ariz., is described, after which an account is 

 given of the vegetation in that region. The temperature, water, and soil 

 relations of desert plants are discussed at considerable length, after which the 

 conditions contributory to the formation of deserts are described and their 

 extent throughout the world traced. 



Distribution of the roots of some annual cultivated plants, V. Rotmistrov 

 (Zhur. Opuitn. Agron. [Russ. Jour. E.rpt. Lnnflir.]. 8 (1907). Xo. 6. pp. 667- 

 705; 9 (1908), No. 1, pp. 1-2J,).— The author has made a study of the vertical 

 and lateral distribution of roots of a considerable number of plants of economic 

 importance. The season's average growth of roots is shown in the following 

 table : 



Vertical and lateral distribution of roots in the soil. 



Kind of plant. 



Barley, 2-rowed 



Barley, 6-rowed 



Wheat 



Oats (Continental sort) 



Oats (Canary) 



Rve 



Millet 



German millet 



Sorghum (black) 



Sorghum (yellow) 



Maize 



Peas 



Beans (Glory of Lyor) . 



Kind of jilant. 



Beans (Princess of Orleans). 



Broad beans 



Do 



Poppy 



Flax 



Camelina 



Sunflower 



Castor bean 



Cotton 



Potato 



Beet 



Cucumber 



Length of roots. 



Vertical. Lateral 



Cm. 

 85 

 110 

 110 

 102 

 105 

 104 

 144 

 120 

 95 

 60 

 146 

 105 



Cm. 



60 

 84 

 90 

 80 

 64 

 96 

 120 

 100 

 104 

 100 

 110 

 84 



