572 experimp:nt statk^n record. 



ri'sults of cxaiiiiiiatioii 111' <)<) samples of standard u ixed k-rtilizing materials, 390 



brands of complete fertilizers representin<; 1(11 maniifactuiers, 24 incomplete mixtures, 

 34 samjiles of ground hone, and 7 sami)les of miscellaneous i)ro(lucts. 



In addition there are reported the analyses of 6 samples of home mixtures and 18 

 samples of mixtures especially compounded by manufacturers to order. The mate- 

 rials examined included, in addition to the mixed fertilizers, nitrate of scjda, sulphate 

 of ammonia, dried blood, dried and ground fish, tankage, superphosphates, muriate 

 of potash, sulphate of potash, kainit, inner coating of hides, tannery refuse, wool 

 waste, sheep n)anure, and nitrate of jjotash. About 37 per cent of the bran<]s of 

 fertilizers examineci were deficient in one or more of the cUfferent forms of plant food. 

 Tlie averages for all l)rands of complete fertilizers examined during 1903 were as fol- 

 lows: Total nitrogen, 2.27 per cent; total jthosphoric acid, 10.52 per cent; available 

 phosphoric acid, 8.15 per cent; insoluble phosphoric acid, 2.37 per cent; potash, 5.49 

 per cent; station valuation, $20.50; selling price, 127.57. 



Analyses of cominercial fertilizers, W. Frear {Pennsylvania State Dept. Agr. 

 Bui. 114, PP- 115). — A report on inspection of fertilizers in Pennsylvania during the 

 7 months ended July 31, 1903, inclu<ling analyses of 542 samples with a discussion of 

 the results and notes on valuation of fertilizers in 1903. 



FIELD CROPS. 



The influence of tlie water content of soils on tlie yield and growth of 

 different varieties of grain, C. Von SEELHOKsrand W i*reck.mann {./our. Laiidii:., 

 51 {1903), No. 3, pp. 253-'269). — Experiments with different varieties of summer 

 wheat, oats, and barley, grown in pots in which the moisture content of the soil 

 varied in different cases from 40 to 85 per cent of saturation, are reported. The 

 results show that there is a close relation between the yield and the growth of indi- 

 vidual plants and the water content of the soil, but that the influence of soil moisture 

 varies widely with different varieties, thus confirming previous results (E. S. R., 14, 

 p. 345) . 



Miscellaneous field crops in New South "Wales, W. Farrer, G. L. Sutton, 

 ET AL. {Agr. <laz. Neir Smith ]Vnle><, 14 {1903), No. 9, pp. 852-857, 884-887, 903-926, 

 929-936, 941-944, 947-950, 952, 953, pis. 7). — The work with field crops, consisting 

 mainly of variety and culture tests with cereals and forage crops, including grasses, 

 roots, and leguminous plants, conducted at the Hawkesbury College, Wagga, 

 Bathurst, Wollongbar, Coolabah, Moree, Belindigarbar, and (ilen Innes experiment 

 farms in 1902, is briefly noted. The different crops and varieties grown at the vari- 

 ous farms are enumerated. 



Varieties of wheat quite rust-resistant when sown before midwinter were badly 

 affected when sown in the spring. Macaroni wheats compared well with other 

 kinds in rust and drought resistance. At one of the farms the viability of seeds of 

 different varieties treated with copper suljjliate varied from 2 to 70 per cent. 



Field crops at the Queensland Experiment Farms, J. Mahon et al. ( Queens- 

 land Agr. Jour., 13 {1903), No. 5, pp. 408-446, pis. 2). — In connection with reports 

 covering all the work of the different .State experiment farms at the Queensland 

 Agricultural College, Westbrook, Hermitage, Biggenden, Gindie, and Cairns, the 

 experiments with a large number of field crops, consisting mainly of variety and 

 culture tests with cereals, grasses, roots, and other forage crops, are briefly noted. 

 The varieties of the different crops under test are enumerated. 



Results of experiments with lime as a fertilizer, D. Pryanishnikov {Zhur. 

 Opuitii. Agron. IJour. Expt. Landw.l, 4 {1903), No. 3, pp. 257-266) .—The use of lime 

 as a fertilizer for a mixture of oats and vetch gave varying results, the i)ercentage of 

 vetch increasing in some instances and decreasing in others when lime was applied. 



