NOTES AND ABSTRACTS. 



795 



manures sent in by manufacturers, dealers, and farmers of the State, 

 comparing guaranteed and found quantities of nitrogen, phosphoric acid, 

 and potash in commercial fertilisers, also analyses of lime from various 

 districts, and tables showing the basis for valuing manures, founded on 

 the wholesale price of fertilising materials for each month. — C. H. H. 



Fertilisers. By F. W. Robison (U.S.A. Exp. Stn. Michigan, Bull. 

 217 ; vii./04). — In Michigan, for the protection of the farmer, all fertilisers 

 are analysed and licensed by the State, and the analyses published in an 

 annual bulletin. Only those goods licensed may be sold, and those only 

 for the time stated in the licence. The following note is interesting : — 

 " There is abundant evidence to show that commercial fertilisers can 

 never, on the American farm, entirely supersede the use of barnyard 

 manure. Pound for pound most fertilisers contain very much more 

 nitrogen, potash, and phosphoric acid than does barnyard manure, but in 

 most instances the growing test is in favour of the manure. There is 

 unquestionably an influence, physical, chemical, or bacterial, or all together, 

 that has a favourable effect on plant life, and which cannot be 

 attributed solely to the nitrogen, phosphoric acid, and potash present." 

 In the analyses given most of the fertilisers seem to be above the 

 guarantee of nitrogen, phosphoric acid, and potash given. — F. J. C. 



Fertilisers and Manures, Experiments with, on Different 

 Varieties of Asparagus and Raspberries. By A. T. Jordan (U.S.A. 

 Agr. Exp. Stn. No. 173). — (a) Asparagus. Selection of varieties in planting 

 important — ' Palmetto,' a disease-resisting variety, exceeding 1 Elmira,' 

 which is the second in order, by 32 per cent, in average of six crops. The 

 net yield when complete fertiliser 1(= analysing nitrogen 45 per cent., 

 phosphoric acid, available, 7*7 per cent., potash 13-3 per cent., applied at 

 the rate of 500 lb. per acre in autumn) was employed exceeded that 

 obtained by the use of manure by 13*7 per cent. 



(b) Raspberries. ' Cuthbert ' is the best market variety ; ' Marlbro' ' 

 comes in a week earlier. Complete fertiliser gives lowest annual cost, 

 and equals one quarter the cost of manure, while it gives a return per 

 dollar of cost over four times that with manure. A larger total yield was 

 obtained by using complete fertiliser in spring, and bone and potash in 

 the autumn, but the cost is 59 per cent, more than with complete fertiliser 

 alone, so that the net returns ar3 practically identical. — F. A. W. 



Fertilisers, Use of : Review of Results of Experiments with 

 Nitrate Of Soda. By E. B. Vorhees (U.S.A. Agr. Exp. Stn. New 

 Jersey, No. 172). — 1. On Market-garden Crops, i.e. those of high commercial 

 value, table Beets, Asparagus, early Tomatos, Cabbage, Turnips, &c. 

 2. On Field Crops, i.e. those of low commercial value, hay and grain, 

 Wheat, Rye, &c. 



The relations of cost of material applied to value of crop are 

 exceedingly important, and should be considered in purchasing materials. 

 For instance, the liberal application of materials containing nitrogen to 

 crops which possess a low market value may result in a maximum pro- 

 duction ; yet, because the nitrogen is so expensive, the value of the increased 



