SOILS FERTILIZERS. 1023 



Gypsum deposits, J, P. Kowe (Univ. Moiif. Bid. .Ill, pp. .31-31), plx. J, firjs.S). — 

 Econoiiiio (leiK>sits of p.vpsiun in what arc termed the north, middle, and south 

 fields of Montana are briefly described. 



Lime and marl examinations in Jutland, 1908, M. K. Kbistensen (Tidsskr. 

 Landbr. Plantcarl, J.j ( liWS), No. 5, pp. 6"^y-6V/-} ).— Analyses of a large number 

 of samples of lime and marl are given, and the results discussed. 



Magnesia, its function and use in agriculture, F. Rihaux (/}»/. Af>soc. Vhim. 

 t>iicr. ct Distill., .ir, [I'JOS), \o. (!, pp. iJ '/-} },S).--From analyses of a number of 

 Belgian soils the conclusion is drawn that many soils naturally contain so little 

 magnesia or are so reduced in this constituent by the methods of cropping pur- 

 sued that they are unable on this account to produce maximum yields. Analyses 

 are given which indicate that magnesia is an important constituent of crops. 

 It is shown from e.xperiments by Pellet on various Belgian soils that as a rule 

 the yield and quality of cereals, potatoes, sugar beets, and leguminous plants 

 were improved by application of magnesia, and by Lawes and Gilbert, Stutzer, 

 and others that the fertilizing value of ammonia salts is increased by the use 

 of magnesia in connection with them. 



Manurial value of sewage and sewage sludge {Jour. Bil. Agr. [London], 

 J.J (190S), \o. !), pp. 690-696). — This is a brief discussion based mainly upon 

 the fifth rei'ort of the Koyal Commission on Sewage Disposal (E. S. R., 20, 

 p. G17). 



Attention is called to the loss of nitrogen in ordinary methods of sewage 

 disposal and the method of preparing sewage sludge is described. The sludge 

 is mixed with o.n to 1 per cent of lime in the form of milk-of-lime and pressed 

 by means of coni])ressed air into cakes containing from 50 to 65 per cent of 

 water and from 0.89 to 1.28 per cent of nitrogen. The cost of the process is 

 estimated at from 50 cts. to $1.25 per ton of pi-essed cake. The calculated fer- 

 tilizing value of the material is stated to be from $1.50 to $1.75 per ton, " but 

 the actual market value is insignificant, owing to tlie relatively high cost of 

 carriage upon a mixture containing of necessity a large proportion of water, 

 grit, and carbonaceous matter." 



Tests of the fertilizing value of the sludge on mangel-wurzels, beets, swedes, 

 wheat, and grass at Wobnrn and at several agricultural colleges in England 

 indicate "that unit for unit the nitrogen and the phosphoric acid of sludge 

 seem to be of less value manuriallj' than the nitrogen and phosphoric acid 

 of artificial manures; at any rate so far as the first year of application is con- 

 cerned. It also api)ears that sewage sludge is not a suitable dressing for 

 quickly growing plants, unless it is applied in very large quantities per acre." 



Analyses of the ashes discharged during the eruption of Vesuvius in 

 April, 1906, I). (Jikasoi.i i 1/// /,'. Jst. IncoifKjfi. XapoJi, 6. srr., J.9 (1907), 

 pp. 239-2.'iS). — The rain of ashes lasted froni April 4 to 21. During the first 

 days the ashes had the apix-arance of coarse black sand, the next were much 

 liner and grayiu color, and at the last there was an almost impalimble dust of 

 a reddish color. A physical separation by means of electrical currents of dif- 

 ferent strengths showed an abundance of magnetite with fragments of lava, 

 vitreous sul)stance, augite, leucite, feldspar, and olivin, with some scales of 

 mica. Chemical analyses of the different separates are given. 



Consumption of fertilizers {Aiiicr. Fcrt., 30 (1909), Xo. J, p. 6). — A table 

 is given showing the consumption of commercial fertilizers in various States 

 during 1!K)7. The total is given as 4,451, !")2;i tons. 



Fertilizers in South Australia, W. L. Summkkh (./our. Dipt. A(/r. So. Aiift., 

 II (I90S), No. 12, pp. J 1 13-1115, fig. i ) .—Statistics of tho use of fertilizers 

 since 1897 are given. 



85670— No. 11—09 3 



