324 SOIL SCIENCE [BoT. Absts., Vol. VIII, 



trichum commune L. [Spore dissemination in Polytrichtmi commune artificially induced.] 

 Hedwigia 60: 350-351. 1919. — If mature capsules of Polytrichum commune, deprived of their 

 opercula, are immersed in ether, the spores are set free through the minute openings between 

 the peristome and the epiphragm. The ether dissolves the layer of wax on the outside of the 

 spore-case, and this is followed by a contraction of the internal parts of the capsule. The 

 extrusion of the spores, which is at first violent and accompanied by a distinct crackling sound, 

 gradually slows down. — A. W . Evans. 



2200. PiEDALLU, Andre. Sur le role du fer dans la casse bleue des vins. [The role o 

 iron in "blue cassia" of wine.] Compt. Rend. Acad. Sci. Paris 169: 1108-1109. 1919.— The 

 term "casse bleue" is applied to a "disease" of wine, and the author finds that this frequently 

 appears in wine that has been previously transported in wagon-casks made of iron. Among 

 the phenomena accompanying this disease are the deposition of the coloring matter of the wine 

 on the sides and bottom of the containing vessels and the appearance of an iridescent veil 

 on the surface. The indications are that the "disease" is induced by the presence of ferric 

 salts. Control methods are suggested. — R. W . Wehh. 



2201. Van Alstine, Ernest. The determination of hydrogen-ion concentration by the 

 colorimetric method and an apparatus for rapid and accurate work. Soil Sci. 10: 467-479. PI. 

 l,fig. 1-2. 1920. — A colorimeter is described consisting of an eyepiece and wooden blocks hold- 

 ing the standard tubes and the unknown solutions which slide before it. The blocks holding 

 the tubes may have 1, 2, or 3 series of holes and tubes, depending upon whether single tube 

 standards, double tube standards, or double tube standards and turbid solutions are use 

 A graph and table prepared by calculation are given which permit the preparation of double 

 tube standards having any desired Ph between 2 and 10. — W . J . Robbins. 



SOIL SCIENCE 



J. J. Skinner, Editor 

 F. M. ScHERTZ, Assistant Editor 



(See also in this issue Entries 1584, 1585, 1586, 1589, 1607, 1614, 1624, 1816, 1958, 1963, 



1977, 2150, 2174, 2176, 2190) 



2202. Anonymous. [Rev. of: Collins, S. H. Chemical fertilizers and parasiticides. 

 xii + £73 V; 8 fig. Balliere, Tindall & Cox: London, 1920.] Sci. Prog. [London] 15: 494- 

 495. 1921. 



2203. Antoniadis et Maume. Essais avec la cyanamide de calcium. [Experiments 

 with calcium cyanamid.] Ann. Ecole Nation. Agric. Montpellier 17: 120-130. Fig. 1. 1918 

 [1919].— Pot culture experiments showed that calcium cyanamid is clearly toxic when incor- 

 porated in the soil at the time the grain is sown. When incorporated some time before the 

 seed is sown (at least 15 days) calcium cyanamid loses its toxicity, but the seedlings are in- 

 ferior to those grown in control plots. A study of the effect of calcium cyanamid on different 

 tj^pes of soils is contemplated. — F. F. Halma. 



2204. Baguley, A. Building up the fertility of the soil. Jour. Dept. Agric. Union of 

 South Africa 1: 755-759. 1920.— Improving the productivity of sail by supplying humus, 

 lime, nitrogen, potash and phosphoric acid is discussed and also the common chemicals used 

 in commercial fertilizers. — Lyman Carrier. 



2205. Bipp ART, E. Zum Wasserhaushalt des Bodens. [Water relations of soils.] Mitteil 

 Deutsch. Landw. Ges. 35: 330-331. 1920. 



2206. Crocker, William. Heated soils. [Rev. of: Johnson, James. The influence 

 of heated soils on seed germination and plant growth. Soil Sci. 7 : 1-87. 1919 (see Bot. Absts. 



