422 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



also held for magnesia. From 5 to 10 lbs. per acre of potash and 50 to 90 lbs. 

 of soda were lost from bare soils from October 1 to May 1. The basic materials 

 were lost largely in form of nitrates. 



Observations on solutions circulating in cultivated soils, G. Gola {Gior. 

 Gcol. Prut., 9 (1911), ^'o. 3--J, pp. 131-lo'J). — The author discusses the relation 

 of composition and concentration of the soil solution to the physiology and the 

 distribution of plants, on the basis of the results of his own work previously 

 reported (E. S. R., 25, p. 21). 



On the importance of the reaction of the soil in soil studies and for its 

 productivity, M. Weibull {K. Landthr. Akad. Handl. och Tidskr., 50 {1911), 

 Ao. 5, pp. 388-417; abs. in Internat. Inst. Agr. [Rome], Bui. Bur. Agr. Intel, 

 and Plant Diseases, 3 (1912), No. 1, pp. 61-63). — Another account of investiga- 

 tions already noted (E. S. R., 25, p. 724). 



On the contents of nitrogen and the more important ash constituents in 

 some farm crops grown on peat soils, H. von Feilitzen (Svenska Mosskul- 

 turfor. Tidskr., 25 {1911), A'o. .'t, Hup. 1, pp. 329-^02, pis. 2).— Compilations of 

 results of analyses made at the Swedish Moor Culture Stations during the past 

 15 years are given, with a colored chart showing the fertilizer ingredients 

 removed by different crops from 1 hectare of peat soil. 



The relation of free living nitrogen-fixing micro-organisms to nitrogen 

 assimilation in meadows, R. Burri {Abs. in Chem. Ztg., 35 (1911), No. 77, 

 p. 704). — Seientitic evidence is presented to show that autotrophic nitrogen- 

 fixing organisms play an important part in maintaining the nitrogen supply of 

 meadow soils, and it is further suggested that perhaps the greater part of the 

 present supply of fixed nitrogen on the earth's surface is due to the action of 

 mici'o-organisms. 



The function of humus in cultivated soils, H. Kaseeee (Monatsh. Landw., 

 4 (1911), No. 11, pp. 324-328; Internat. Mitt. Bodenk., 1 (1912), No. 3-4, pp. 

 367-375; abs. in Chem. Ztg., 35 (1911), No. 118, p. 1103).— The author main- 

 tains as a result of his investigations that the stimulating action of humus on 

 the activities of nitrogen-fixing bacteria, as shown in experiments by Krzemen- 

 ienski (E. S. R., 22, p. 221) and by Lohuis and Pillai (E. S. R., 20, p. 621), 

 is due to the inorganic nutrients, especially aluminum and silicic acid, sup- 

 plied to the micro-organisms through the humus. 



The theory of soil management, F. K. Cameron (Proc. Amer. Soc. Agron., 2 

 (1910), pp. 102-106). — The author discusses briefly the different factors which 

 affect crop production, pointing to the fact that all these factors are dependent 

 variables. Plat experiments with fertilizers should take accoimt of the physical 

 and biological properties of the soil at least throughout the growing season. 

 " More important at the present time perhaps is the determination of the kind 

 and degree of the changes produced in different variables by the changes in 

 any one of them." 



Experiments with fertilizers and field crops on important soil types of 

 middle Tennessee, C. A. Mooers (Tennessee Sta. Bui. 92, pp. 27-95). — Experi- 

 ments carried on during 1907 and 1908, reported in a previous bulletin of the 

 station (E. S. R.. 21, p. 116), were continued on the sfime plan during 1909 

 and 1910. These experiments included fertilizer and cultural tests with com, 

 wheat, oats, potatoes, peanuts, soy beans, cowpeas. alfalfa, millet, clover, to- 

 bacco, tall oat grass, and miscellaneous hay crops on Highland Rim, Central 

 Basin, and Cumberland Plateau soils, the main object of the experiments being 

 to determine the fertilizer requirements of the principal types of soils. 



As regards the Highland Rim soils, it is stated that the investigation " has 

 not progressed far enough to permit of accurate distinctions in all respects, but 

 if the dark red soils be placed first in value, then the gray soils with red sub- 



