1022 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Potash silicate (ground phonolith) as a potash fertilizer, V. Wagneb (Deut, 

 Lnndic. Preusc, SG (li)OD), Ao. 1, pi>. 1-3; ahu. in Landic. Ztschr. Rheinprovinz, 

 10 {I'JOit), i\o. 7, p. 85). — Comimrative tests of suli)liate of potash aiul of a flne- 

 {ironiul eriiittive rock known as jtlKinoIitli, contnininK about HO per cent of silica, 

 !) to 10 piT cent of potash, and S jior cent of soda, on Italian rye grass, tomatoes, 

 and mustard, are reported. 



The results show that the imtash of the ground iihonolith is very resistant 

 to the solvent action of acids and of soils and roots. The potash is so firmly 

 comhinetl with silicic acid that scarcely one-half of it is dissolved by 10 per 

 cent hydrochloric acid and very little by the roots of plants. 



Soil fertility and phosphoric acid, G. S. Fbaps (Trans. Texas Acad. Sci., 

 10 (1!)07), pp. .'i0--'ij; Amn: Fcri., 30 (1009), No. 2, pp. 5-7).— This article is 

 based largely upon results of experiments reported in a bulletin of the Texas 

 Statictn (E. S. li., 10, p. 910), which have shown that the soils of Texas are es- 

 pecially in need of phosphoric acid: that soils may contain phosphates which are 

 equally soluble, but are assimilatetl with unequal readiness by plants; that two 

 soils may contain equal quantities of phosphoric acid of equal value to plants 

 and yet on account of variation in absorbing powers of the soil the amounts of 

 phosjthoric acid dissolved from the two soils may be widely different; and that 

 the same compounds of phosphoric acid may have different values for the same 

 plant in different soils. The author Is of the opinion that soils deficient in phos- 

 phoric add are widely distributed in the South. 



Shall we use natural rock phosphate or manufactured acid phosphate for 

 the permanent improvement of Illinois soils? C. G. Hopkins {Illinois Sta. 

 Circ. 121, pp. 23). — This is a I'eply to a pamphlet issued by a large packing house 

 opposing the use of untreated rock phosphate. The results of experiments by a 

 number of stations are quoted to show that under certain conditions such phos- 

 phate may be profitably used. 



Phosphoric acid of varying solubility in citric acid as a fertilizer for 

 meadows. II. Svoboda (Zlsrhr. Landic. )'(rsuclisw. Ostcrr., 11 (1908), Xo. 10, 

 pp. 133-77.',; ahs. in Chcm. Ztg., 32 {1908), Xo. 103, Rcpcrt., p. 67.',; Chan. 

 Zentbh, 1908, II, Xo. 2.',, p. 1893; Jour. Chcm. Soc. [London], 96 {1909), Xo. 556, 

 II, p. 177). — Comparative tests, extending over a series of years, with Thomas 

 slag of varying solubility in citric acid, bone meal, and rock phosphate are 

 reported. The results show in general that while phosphates having a high 

 degree of solubility in citric acid act more quickly, they are more rapidly ex- 

 htiusted and on this account are not so well suited to the fertilizing of meadows 

 as less soluble i)hosphates. 



Modern land-pebble phosphate-mining plants in Florida, II. I). Mendenhali, 

 (Ent/in. Xchs, 60 (1908), Xo. 16, pp. 1,10-.',!',, fiff-s. 7). — This is an account of a 

 modern phosphate-mining plant, of which there are about 20 in the land pebble 

 district of Florida, each turning out from 50,000 to r)00,000 tons of phosphate a 

 year. 



Phosphate industry in Tennessee, H. D. Rtjhm (Engin, and Alin. Jour., 

 87 {1909), i\o. 2, pp. 139, lf,0). — The situation in the Tennessee phosphate field 

 during 1008 is briefly reviewed. 



Agricultural lime, E. H. .Jknkins and E. M. East {Connecticut State sta. 

 Bui. 163. pp. 3-18). — This bulletin discusses, on the basis of examinations of 

 samples collected in Connecticut, the sources, composition, and prices of agri- 

 cultural lime in that State, as well as its action in the soil. 



Lime, J. P. Rowe {Univ. Mont. Bui. 50, pp. .'fO-.',2, pis. 6).— The limestone 

 deposits of Montana and their utilization in the preparation of lime are briefly 

 discussed. 



