238 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



based on chemical theory, has been devised for accurately determining 

 the soil reaction. The reaction of soils is considered due to the quantity 

 relationship between hydrogen-ions and hydroxyl-ions in the soil solu- 

 tion, and this relationship is detenuiued by means of an indicator dye 

 (brom thymol blue) and the use of neutral water to obtain a soil extract. 

 This method has several distinct advantages: (a) materials for perform- 

 ing the test may be carried in a coat pocket, (b) It is devised on a sound 

 chemical basis, (c) It is sensitive and accurate, easily and rapidly per- 

 foi-med, (d) The reaction of a soil — whether strongly, medium or. slightly 

 acid, neutral or alkaline — ^may be determined with one operation. During 

 the present season, this method has been used successfully by field men of 

 the Soils Section and several county agricultural agents. 



3. Some chemical reactions between soils and fertilizer materials have 

 been quite accurately defined and it is hoped that these and other similar 

 data may be made ready for publication soon. 



Since the reaction of soils deficient in bases depends upon the active 

 base — acid ratio and since the active components of soils enter into 

 chemical combination with different fertilizer salts, it is concluded that 

 this base — acid ratio in soils has an important scientific and practical 

 significance and it is the plan to work along tliis line during the coming 

 year." 



I desire also to call your attention to tlie fact tliat co-operative soil 

 survey work with the United States Department of Agriculture, Bureau 

 of Soils, has progressed satisfactorily, as I reported to 30U elsewhere. 

 In this work, among other things, we are making a study of the compo- 

 sition of various soil types and their physical characteristics more com- 

 pletely than has ever been done by other institutions. We are preparing 

 a lime requirement map of the various soils of the counties and other 

 popular features, which you will note when you receive the State reports 

 on these various areas. 



According to Dr. Bouyoucos, "The research work under the Federal 

 or Adams Fund during the fiscal year ending July 1, 1022, has been con- 

 <lucted .on various pha-ses of the three main projects which have been 

 under investigation at this laboratory for the ii)ast several years, namely, 

 soil temperature, soil solution and soil moisture. 



Some of the specific problems which have been investigated during 

 the year are as follows : 



(1) Causes for the difference in frost occurrence between peats 

 and mucks and mineral soils. 



(2) Relationship between heat of wetting, moisture equivalent 

 and unfree water. 



(3) Movement of soil moisture from small caipillarie.-; to large 

 capillaries upon freezing. 



(4) Effect of chemical agents on oxidation in soil forming rocks 

 and minerals. 



(5) The freezing point and dilatometer methods. 



(6) Further studies on the solubility of rocks, mineral and soils 

 and the chemical nature of their solution. 



(7) Heat of wetting of soils, rock and mineral powders in various 

 organic and inorganic liquids and in water. 



(8) Further studies on frost occurrence and the possible method 

 of preventing damage to crops. 



