140 Agricultur, Horticultur, Forstbotanik. 



he gives a short biographical note of the founder, Sir J. B. Lawes, 

 and of his colleague Sir J. H. Gilbert. T. B. Wood. 



Hall, A. D. and N. H. J. Miller, The effect of plantgrowth 

 and of manures upon the retention of bases by the 

 soil. (Proc. R. Soc. B. Vol. LXXVII. p. 1-32. 1906). 



The communication "deals with the changes in the amount of 

 calcium carbonate, the chief substance in the soil acting as a base, 

 which are brought about by natural agencies, by manuring, and 

 particularly bj^^ the growth of plants". 



The following summarised Statement of results is appended: 

 "1. Arable soils which contain upwards of 1 per cent. of calcium 

 carbonate are subject to a normal loss of that constituent in the 

 drainage water amounting to about 800 Ibs. to 1000 Ibs. per acre 

 per annum. 



2. The loss is increased by the use of ammoniacal manures by 

 an amount equivalent to the combined acid of the manure. The loss 

 is diminished by the use of sodium nitrate or organic debris like 

 farmyard manure. 



3. The growth of plants normally returns to the soil a large 

 Proportion of the bases in the neutral salts which the soil provides 

 for the nutrition of plants. 



4. The calcium Oxalate and other organic salts of calcium present 

 in plant residues are converted by bacterial action in the soil into 

 calcium carbonate. 



5. The return of base by the growth of plants and the production 

 of calcium carbonate by the decay of plant residues are sufificient to 

 retain soils neutral which are poor in calcium carbonate, and to 

 replace the bases which have been consumed in nitrification and 

 similar changes". R. H. Lock. 



Hooper, D., Composition and Trade Forms of Indian 

 Cut eh. (Agricultural Ledger. 1906. WK 3. p. 23-50). 



Cutch is an extract from the wood of Acacia Catechu, Willd., 

 and the allied species, A. Catechiwides , Benth., and A. Sundra, DC. 

 A very large series of samples are reported on. The tannin in them 

 varied from 15 per cent, (and in one case 8 per cent) to 54 per cent, 

 and the Catechin from nil to 36 per cent. No rule was found regu- 

 lating the relation between the Catechin and the tannin acid; but 

 there was noticed a certain similarity in the composition of Cutches 

 from the same lucality. ' J. H. Burkill. 



Hooper, D., The uses andvalueoftherootof Costus speci- 

 osus as a food stuff. (Agricultural Ledger 1906, N». 2. p. 19—21). 



The root of Costus speciosus contains a considerable percentage 

 of starch and sugar. A small quantity of an oleoresin is present. 

 Moisture in dried and powdered root 5.50: Ether extract 0.75: Albu- 

 minoids 6.75: Carbohydrates 66.65: Fibre 10.65: and Ash 9.70Vo. 



J. H. Burkill. 



Luxmoore, C. M., The hygrometric capacity of soils. 

 (Journ. agric. Sei. 1905. I. 3. p. 304—321. 

 A contribution to the study of the capacity of soils to retain 



