126 SOIL SCIENCE [Bot. Absts. 



above when different soils were compared. The toxic effect of the heated soils was found to 

 vary with the species of plants. Measured by seed germination the Graminiae and Cucurbi- 

 taceae were found to be resistant to the toxic effect while the Leguminoseae and Solanaceae 

 were more susceptible. Soils toxic to the growth of tomatoes were beneficial to the growth 

 of wheat. The toxic principle is formed from the organic matter of the soil, is volatile, is 

 destroyed by the soil flora and is believed to be largely ammonia. All the toxic properties 

 in heated soils are not, however, believed to be the same. The time required for recovery 

 from the toxic action is generally proportional to the intensity of the toxicity produced. It 

 disappears more slowly at low soil temperatures (below about 25°C). The beneficial action 

 is often greatest on soils exhibiting the greatest injurious action to early plant growth. The 

 beneficial action is believed to be largely due to the ammonia liberated on heating. — William 

 J. Robbins. 



855. Johnson, James, and R. E. Hartman. Influence of soil temperature on the root- 

 rot of tobacco. Jour. Agric. Res. 17: 41-86. PI. 1-8. 1919.— See Bot. Absts. 3, Entry 772. 



856. Jordan, W. H. Director's report for 1918. New York Agric. Exp. Sta. [Geneva] 

 Bull. 457. 25 -p. 1918. — A discussion of administrative matters, brief summaries of the 

 publications and activities of the several departments of the Station during the year, and 

 certain proposals as to future work. — F. C. Stewart. 



857. Landis, W. D. The war and the nitrogen industry. Amer. Fertilizer 50: 38-41. 

 1919. — A review of the development of the nitrogen industry and a discussion of the present 

 situation. — /. /. Skinner. 



858. Lipman, C. B. Further studies on the distribution and activities of certain groups 

 of bacteria in California soil columns. Univ. California Publ. (Agric. Sci.) 4:113-120. -1919. — 

 Studies on ammonification, nitrification, and nitrogen fixation in the first 6 feet of soils from 

 ten different localities. It appears that the microorganisms of arid soils penetrate deeply 

 into the subsoil layers. The ammonifying powers continue undiminished through 6 feet 

 of soil. The nitrifying powers existed in all soil samples, but were less at the lower levels of 

 some soils. The nitrogen fixation results were for the most part inconclusive. — H. S. Reed. 



859. McCall, A. G., J. B. S. Norton, and P. E. Richards. Abnormal stem growth 

 of soybeans in sand cultures with Shive's three-salt nutrient solution. Soil Science 6: 479-481. 

 PI. 1, 2. 1918. — The writers report injury to soybeans grown in sand cultures watered with 

 a nutrient solution consisting of calcium nitrate, monopotassium phosphate and magnesium 

 sulfate with a trace of ferric phosphate. The injury consists of thickened stems and a char- 

 acteristic injury to the leaves. Since this injury was found in cultures grown in solutions of 

 varying salt proportions it would appear to be due to some property common to all of the 

 Shive 3-salt solutions. — William J. Robbins. 



860. Mullett, H. A. Minyip crop and fallow competition. Jour. Dept. Agric. Victoria 

 17: 65-75. Fig. 7. 1919. — A report of the Judge of the Crop and Fallow Competition at 

 Minyip for 1918. On the question of fertilization it is brought out that superphosphate used 

 at the rate of 100 pounds per acre on the black soils of Wimmera produces good crop increase, 

 and is profitable. Summer fallowing is shown to be profitable. — J. J. Skinner. 



861. Mullett, H. A. Nhill farm competition. Jour. Dept. Agric. Victoria 17: 129-144. 

 Fig. 7. 1919. — Report for 1918 of agricultural condition of the community and improve- 

 ment of soil conditions. — J. J. Skinner. 



862. Mullett, H. A. Garoke crop and fallow competition, 1918. Jour. Dept. Agric. 

 Victoria 17: 193-206. Fig. 7. 1919. — Conditions for wheat growing on the different soil 

 types of the area are discussed. The soil types divide into silty, heavy clay, and light classes. 

 The best crop of the Penny variety was grown on friable black loam, using 60 pounds of super- 

 phosphate per acre. Methods of cultivation are discussed. — J. J. Skinner. 



