SOILS FERTILIZERS. 1119 



pot.Msh that the potash-hiiiif^er of tho plants was not satisticd. Apparently the 

 potash of this material was very resistant to the solvent action of acids, soils, 

 luul plant roots. 



On the fertilizing value of the phosphoric acid of vivianite, O. Bottcher 

 (Dcut. Landiv. Presse, 36 {W09), No. 7, p. 61; «b.s'. in Chem. Ztg., 33 {1909), 

 A'o. 2J, Rcpcrt., p. 118). — An impure vivianite derived from swamp deposits con- 

 taining 15.02 i)er cent of phosphoric acid and 18.1 i)er cent of water was com- 

 pared with superplios])liate In pot experiments with oats. Taking the efficiency 

 of superphosphate as 100, that of the vivianite was 22 to 30. The phosphoric 

 acid is slowly available and the material has some fertilizing value, but not 

 sulhclent to pay for long transportation or much handling. 



The phosphorites of Gafsa, Tebessa, and Cape Leuca, R. Rossi {Ann. B. 

 HcuoUi l^iip. Ai/r. Portici, 2. scr., 7 (1907), pp. 16). — The physical characteristics 

 of phosphorite from these places are given, as well as a description of the prep- 

 aration of the samples, processes of analysis, and tables showing the results of 

 the analyses. 



The average percentages of calcium phosphate shown by the analyses were: 

 Gafsa phosphorite 56.48, Tebessa phosphorite 43.53, and Cape Leuca phosphorite 

 17.31. The percentages of calcium carbonate in the phosphates were high, being 

 15.56 in case of Gafsa phosphorite, 36.39 in Tebessa phosphorite, and 70.73 in 

 Cape Leuca phosphorite. 



Namban Creek phosphatic deposits, E. A. Mann et al. {Jour. Dept. Agr. 

 West. Aust., 17 {190S), Nos. J, pp. S05-810; 6. pp. flS0-9N2).— Deposits of phos- 

 phatic guano occurring in caves in this district are described and analyses are 

 reported showing phosphate of lime varying from 26.G to 45.25 per cent, and 

 nitrogen from 0.2 to 1.65 per cent. The larger proportion of the phosphoric 

 acid was found to be soluble in citrate solution. 



Phosphatic and gypsum deposits, A. Despeissis {Jour. Dept. Afjr. West. 

 Aust, 17 {1908), No. 6, pp. 906, 907).— Statistics of the consumption of fer- 

 tilizers in Western Australia are given, with notes on deposits of phosi)hate and 

 gypsum which have been discovered in that colony. It is stated that 16,486 

 tons of fertilizers were imported into Western Australia during the half year 

 ended June 30, 1908. The occurrence of extensive deposits of both phosphate 

 and gypsum is reported. 



The present status of the nitrate industry of Chile, Gerlach {Ztschr. 

 A</rarpolitik, 7 {1909), No. 1, pp. 10-18). — This article discusses the present and 

 probable future supply of nitrate and the present business problems and organi- 

 zation of the industry. 



The Chilean nitrate fields {Mark Lane Express, 100 {1909), No. J,036, p. 

 1 19). — Reference is here made to the report of the Chilean government insi)ector 

 of nitrate, which states that tlie minhnum stodv in slglit is 220,000,000 tons and 

 that there is no danger of a failure of sui)ply for a century at least. 



Analyses of fertilizers, R. E. Rose {Fla, Quart. But. Dept. Agr., 19 {1909), 

 No. 1, pp. l-(), 12-27, 31-35, 46-80, 133-161).— The results of inspection of fer- 

 tilizers during the year 1908 are reported, with the laws providing for this worlj 

 and the rules and regulations adopted under tlie laws, and suggestions regarding 

 the purchase and use of fertilizers. It is stated tliat ins|)ection tags covering 

 133,224 tons of commercial fertilizers were sold during the year. This repre- 

 sents an increase of 8,618 tons. 



Comparing the economy of higli-grade and low-grade fertilizers, it is stated 

 that "the high-grade fertilizers, for but little more than a third advance in 

 price over the cost of the low-class goods, furnish two-thirds more plant food 

 and five-sixths more commercial value." Those who nniuire low-grade goods 



