480 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Attention is especially called to the total iihosphoric acid anil potash and that solu- 

 ble in 1 per cent citric acid in the soils of the differently fertilized plats. 



Analyses of commercial fertilizers, ^I. B. IIardix {South. CaroUna Bui. 5S,j}p. 

 24)- — This bulletin reports analyses of 176 samples of fertilizers collected durinj!; the 

 season of 1899-1900, discusses the composition and valuation of commercial fertiliz- 

 ers, and gives regulations governing the sale of fertilizers in Houth Carolina and the 

 text of the law providing for the free anal^ysis of purchasers' samples of fertilizers, 

 recently i)assed by the State legislature. 



Analyses of commercial fertilizers, J. L. Hills, C. H. Joxes, and B. O. White 

 ( VeniKittt Sta. Bui. 79, pp. 189-198). — The results of analyses of 47 brands of fertil- 

 izers, representing 17 manufacturers, are reported. 



Commercial fertilizers, J. H. Stewart and B. H. Hite ( lIV.s/ Virgima Sta. Bui. 

 65, pp. 181-196). — This bulletin gives analyses and valuations of 140 samples of fer- 

 tilizers registered for sale in West Virginia from January 1 to April 15, 1900, with a 

 schedule of trade values of fertilizing materials, and the text of the State law relating 

 to fertilizers. 



FIELD CROPS. 



Report of the agriculturist, T. L. Lyon {JVehraxhi Sta. Bj^^- 1899., 

 l^p. 15-22). — Brief suiimiary of results obtained in soil tillage and 

 cultivation experiments, in tests with barnyard iiuuuire and other fer- 

 tilizers, and. with sugar beets, grasses, forage crops, winter Avheat, soy 

 beans, and chicory. 



Shallow cultivation has given the best results with corn, sugar beets, 

 and chicory. With the 2 latter crops a portion of the land was mulched 

 with coarse sand and no cultivation given after the crops w^ere thinned. 

 The portions of the crops so treated gave larger yields than when they 

 were cultivated. The author believes that in years of ordinary rain- 

 fall in the region of the station, the only benefit from cultivation 

 during the growing season is from the removal of weeds and the pres- 

 ervation of moisture by means of the soil mulch produced. 



Harrowing oats in rows 6 in. apart has resulted in considerably 

 increased yields. Refuse lime from sugar-beet factories was used on 

 corn, sugar beets, and alfalfa. Onl}^ the alfalfa seemed especiallj^ 

 benefited by the application. With this crop the refuse lime occasioned 

 an increase of nearly 1 ton of hay per acre. 



The leaf disease {Cercospora heticola) affecting beets was held in 

 check b}' Bordeaux mixture. Hungarian brome grass {Broiiius inet'- 

 i/i!x) has given the greatest promise of the grasses tested. Out of 100 

 varieties of wheat tested, Turke}^ Red, Big Frame, and Currell and 3 

 Russian varieties proved hardiest. 



Alfalfa as a hay crop, B. C. Buffum {Wyomhu/ Sta. Bnl. J^S., 2)p. 

 Jf7-Dl.ji</.^. 8). — Results arc reported of investigations at the station 

 and elsewhere in the State on the culture of common and Turkestan 

 alfalfa. The growth of alfalfa on alkali soils and the irrigation of 

 alfalfa are discussed and some figures given bearing on these '2, factors 

 in alfalfa growing in the State. 



