FERTILIZERS. 571 



viz, 18.6 per cent sugar in the beet, with a purity coefficient of 92, the corresponding 

 figures for the unfertiUzed plats being 17.8 per cent and 85. The variations in the 

 quaUty of the beets harvested were of minor importance in all cases, suggesting 

 strongly, therefore, that under normal conditions the quality of sugar beets is not 

 affected to any appreciable extent by the application of the ordinary artificial fer- 

 tilizers. F. W. WOLL. 



Some plant culture trials with, a new artificial fertilizer, A. Ystgaard 

 ( Tk't^skr. JVorskc Landhr., 10 {1903), Nu. S, pp. 357-365).— T\w. fertilizer experimented 

 with was manufactured by fusing a mixture of phosphatic materials (apatite, rock 

 phosphate, bone ash) with carnallite and kieserite for 10 to 15 minutes at 650 to 

 800° C. A sample of tlie fertilizer analyzed by the author contained 20.71 per cent 

 total phosphoric acid, 15.23 percent phosphoric acid soluble iia a 2 per cent citric- 

 acid'solution, 9.92 per cent lime, 10.20 per'cent magnesia, 6.85 per cent potash, and 

 16. 47 per cent chlorin. The effect of the fertilizer when applied to oats and peas 

 was somewhat better than that of Thomas phosphate, especially as regards the yields 

 of grain obtained. — p. w. woll. 



Welters phosphate, P. Wagner [Mitt. Deut. Landw. GeselL, 18 {1903), No. 46, 

 pp. 357, 258). — This material, which is prepared by fusing 100 parts of coarsely 

 crushed phosphorite with 70 parts of acid sodium sulphate, 20 parts of calcium car- 

 bonate, 22 parts of sand, and 6 to 7 parts of coal, was compared with superphosphate 

 and Thomas slag in 29 pot experiments during 1903 with oats grown on loam soil. 

 The superphosphate used contained 17.7 per cent of water-soluble phosphoric acid, 

 18.9 per cent total phosphoric acid; the Thomas slag 18 per cent of citric acid soluble 

 phosphoric acid, 19.9 per cent total phosphoric acid. All of the phosphoric acid of 

 the Wolters phosphate (15.7 per cent) was soluble in citric acid. The Wolters phos- 

 phate was as quick acting and as effective as the superphosphate and was ajiparently 

 much more readily assimilated by plants than Thomas slag. 



Experiments of the Royal Bavarian Moor Culture Station on the effect of 

 potash fertilizers on upland moors, A. Baumann ( Vrtljachr. Baijer. Landv. Bath., 

 8 {1903), No. 2, Snp., pp. 425-452). — The results of experiments with various kinds 

 and combinations of fertilizing materials are reported, from which the general con- 

 clusions drawn are that the application of Thomas slag in the spring should under 

 all circumstances be avoided on account of the solubility of harmful constituents of 

 the slag in the acids of the moor soils. Fertilizing with potash and phosphoric acid 

 should, however, be d<me in the spring rather than in the fall. The best results 

 were oT)tained in these experiments by using Belgian phosphate with 40 per cent 

 potash salts. In the author's opinion other mineral phosphates might be used with 

 equal advantage. 



The fertilizing- value of iron sulphate , E. LECLERCci ( Bui. Cercle Efvdcs Agron. 

 [B^'ussels], 1903, No. 8, pp. 360-362). — Noting the influence of iron sulphate applied 

 for the destruction of weeds in increasing the vigor and yield of various crops, the 

 author undertook plat experiments to determine the cause of this beneficial effect. 

 In these experiments it was found that 250 kg. of iron sulphate produced as great an 

 effect on oats as 150 kg. of nitrate of soda, not taking into account the benefit derived 

 from the destruction of weeds by the iron sulphate. The author attributes the bene- 

 ficial effect of the iron sulphate solely to the iron and ncjt to the sulphuric acid. 



Recent observations and investigations on the use and action of commer- 

 cial fertilizers, SxECiLicii {Mitt. Oekon. Gci^cU. Sachf<eii, 1902-3, pp. 33-52). — A gen- 

 eral summary. 



Analyses and valuations of fertilizers, J. P. Street, AV. P. Allen, and V. J. 

 Carberrv {New Jersey fStus. Bid. 168, pp. 54). — This bulletin discusses the trade 

 values of fertilizing ingredients in 1903; the cost, value, and guaranteed and actual 

 composition of fertilizers, home mixtures, and special fertilizers; and reports the 



17672— No. 6—01 1 



