934 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



the guaranty, 8.1 per cent were less than 0.8 per cent below the guaranty, and 7 per 

 cent were more than 0.3 per cent below the guaranty, a condition not as satisfactory 

 as that shown in 1895 and 1896, but slightly better than in 1899. The greatest dis- 

 crepancies between the actual analyses and the guaranties were observed in the case 

 of soluble phosphoric acid, for which the guaranties often exceeded the amounts 

 actually found. 



On the diffusion of nitrogen in chemical manure compounds, .1. Osteksetzer 

 (rlwm.Xeir.s, s:> (If'OJ) , Xo. ^14o,p. S).—MUmtum is called to t lie fact that by the 

 action of sul}tliuricacid the nitrogen of organic fertilizing materials is to a large extent 

 CI in verted in soluble form, including ammonium sulphate, and these nitrogen com- 

 pounds are more thoroughly diffused throughout the mass of the fertilizer than is 

 possible by mechanical means, a matter of great importance in estimating the rela- 

 tive value of fertilizers. 



The distribution of chemical fertilizers, C. Dusserre {Chron. Agr. Canton Wind, 

 U {1901) , No. 1, pp. 17-30) . 



Analyses of lime, W. H. Weigand and C. G. Church {Mart/land Agr. Col. Quart., 

 1900, No. 10, pp. 4-6) . — Brief accounts are given of a study of the chemical composition 

 of coal-gas lime, water-gas lime, shell lime, and unburnt oyster and clam shells. 



Potassium nitrate in Wyoming, W. C. Knight {Science, n. ser., 13 {1901), No. 

 ol7, p. 151). — The examination of samples of material found near Dayton, Wyo., 

 which contained over 50 per cent of potassium nitrate, are reported. 



The phosphates of the Florida hard rock region, G. Elschner {CItem. Ztg., 34 

 {moo), No. 101, pp. 1111-1113). — A brief review of the history of these deposits, 

 accompanied 1)}' descriptions and analyses of the phosphates. 



The potash salt mines of Stassfurt {Rev. Gm. Agron. l^Louvain], 9 {1900), No. 

 9-10, pp. 413-436, pis. 3, figs. 5). — This article discusses the location and importance 

 of the Stassfurt deposits, the character of the crude and concentrated salts, and the 

 production and consumption of the salts. 



The world's production and consumption of mineral fertilizers, L. Grande.\u 

 {.lour. Agr. Prul., 1901, I, No. 4, pp- 117-119). — Act-ording to the figures given the 

 total i)roduction of raw phosphate in 1899 was 2,500,000 tons, and of superphosphates 

 m Europe, 3,505,000 tons. The greatest producers of superphosphate were France, 

 950,000 tons; Germany, 800,000 tons; Great Britain, 600,000 tons; Italy, .300,000 tons. 

 The larger part of this superjihosphate was consumed in the countries producing it. 



FIELD CROPS. 



A fertilizer experiment -with barley, R. Ulrich iF'u]dlng''s 



Landw. Zt<j.^ Jf'J (JOOO), JVos. Uf., pp. bSo-dSS; 15^ i>p>. ooJp-ooH). — 

 Thomas phosphate, kainit, nitrate of soda, and well-rotted barnyard 

 niannre were used alone and in combination for fertilizing- l^irley on 

 clay loam soil. The yields obtained with the dift'erent fertilizers and 

 combinations, the profitableness of (nich. and their effect on the quality 

 of the o-rnin are shown in a luunber of tables. The largest and most 

 profitable yields were obtained by the use of all 8 essential elements, 

 as furnished ))y Thomas phosj)hale. kainit. and nitrate of soda. The 

 water content of the air-dry grain was greater with fertiliz(»d than 

 with unfertilized grain. The stai'ch content increased with the addi- 

 tion of fertilizers and was most influenced by potash. The us(> of 

 nitrogenous fertilizers increased the protein content of the grain while 

 phosphoric acid and potash had a depressing effect. 



