SOILS FERTILIZERS. 817 



" Nitrification In the soil is iuliibited by carbonates, cblorids, and sulphates, 

 the former having the strongest effect and the latter the least effect. 



" There are certain seasonal variations in the rate of nitrification in soil." 



The mobilization of the phosphoric acid of the soil under the infl.uence 

 of the life activity of bacteria, II, S. A. Sewerin (Centbl. Bakt. [etc.], 2. Abt., 

 32 (1912), Xo. 20-25, pp. Jf98-520). — Continuing experiments previously noted 

 (E. S. R., 24. p. 530), the author found that there was a decrease of easily 

 soluble phosphoric acid, both with and without addition of phosphates, in soils 

 which were first sterilized and then inoculated with soil bacteria. No relation 

 was clearly shown to exist between the production of carbon dioxid and in- 

 crease in bacteria and the amount of easily soluble phosphoric acid. The end 

 effect appeared to be a resultant of complex changes standing In close relation 

 to the individual characteristics of the bacteria involved. 



The Swedish Moor Culture Society, 1886-1911 (Svenska MosskuUurfnr. 

 Tidskr., 25 (1911), \o. 7, pp. 607-667, pis. 3, figs. 8).— The proceedings of the 

 society at the twenty-fifth anniversary meeting at Jonkoping. November 24, 

 1911, are given. The two main addresses were by H. von Feilitzen on What 

 has the Swedish Moor Culture Society accomplished during the past Twenty- 

 five Years, and by E. Haglund on The Peat-Geological Investigations of the 

 Swedish Moor Culture Society. 



Farming with green manures, C. Harlan (Wilmington, Del., 1912, 7. ed., 

 rev. and oil., pp. 155, figs. 7). — It is stated that in this edition the book has 

 been completely revised " by an agronomist of the Agricultural Department of 

 the U. S. Government ... in the light of the important scientific discoveries 

 made since the earlier editions were issued." 



The fundamental puiiiose of the book is to point out how soil fertility can be 

 maintained on the ordinary farm with the least possible outlay of labor and 

 money. 



Field experiments on individual farms, H. J. Wheeler (Rhode Island 8ta. 

 Bui. IJfS, pp. 17-1(4+11, 1)1. 1). — Brief accounts are given of miscellaneous ex- 

 periments in different parts of the State, mainly with fertilizers on various 

 crops. These experiments included tests of complete fertilizers and of acid 

 phosphate, basic slag, floats, slaked lime, and ground limestone on grass, drill- 

 ing and broadcasting fertilizers for potatoes, effect of fertilizers on the color 

 of Baldwin apples, the effect of ground limestone on oats, effect of lime on 

 beets, comparative value of basic slag and acid phosphate for beets and turnips, 

 a comparison of basic slag and acid phosphate in fertilizers for cantaloups and 

 asparagus on iimed and unliraed soil, and comparisons of various fertilizer 

 combinations for corn. 



The results obtained under a gi-eat variety of conditions do not permit of 

 broad generalizations. They indicated in one case a decided profit from the use 

 of fertilizers, especially those containing a liberal proportion of acid phosphate, 

 on grass. In another case acid phosphate with air-slaked lime and ground 

 limestone gave smaller yields of grass than acid phosphate alone. Floats and 

 air-slaked lime gave as good results as acid phosphate alone, while slag and 

 air-slaked lime gave better yields than the acid phosphate. The inadvisability 

 of top-dressing grass lands which contain only an imperfect stand of desirable 

 grasses with fertilizers was shown in one case. Drilling was a more effective 

 method of applying fertilizers to potatoes than broadcasting. The color of 

 apples seemed to be improved by application of double sulphate of potash and 

 magnesia. Slag increased the yield of beets and turnips more than acid phos- 

 phate. Liming was decidedly beneficial to beets, mangel-wurzels, and canta- 

 loups. Basic slag was especially effective in increasing the yield of asparagus. 

 Large applications of fertilizers to corn in a dry season were unprofitable. 



