SOILS FERTILIZERS. 715 



chloric! of potash indirectly favors it, these salts being ultimately transformed 

 into carbonate in the soil. 



Nitrification in soils, K. F. Kellebman, E. R. Allen, and I. G. McBeth 

 (Abs. in tScknce, n. so:, 31 {1910), No. 190, p. 280). — A brief abstract is given 

 of a paper read before the Chemical Society of Washington, in which is set 

 forth the modern view of the soil as a live matrix supporting various definite 

 groups of micro-organisms and suggesting the possibility that bacteriological 

 diagnoses may determine the crop-producing power of different soils and the 

 causes thereof. It is pointed out that the action of nitrifying bacteria in soil 

 samples correlates fairly well with the productiveness of the soil under 

 field conditions. 



Tests of commercial cultures for soil inoculation, J. G. Lipman (New Jer- 

 sey Stas. Bui. 227, pp. 3-23, pJs. 2, figs. 3). — The results of the tests reported in 

 this bulletin are summarized as follows : 



" The pot experiments with Farmogerm and Nitragin demonstrated that 

 these cultures contain large numbers of vigorous bacteria. 



"Alfalfa soil and Farmogerm cultures for alfalfa were not cai)able of serving 

 any useful purpose on land deficient in lime. 



" On properly limed soils cultures of Farmogerm for alfalfa, cowi)eas, and 

 red clover gave satisfactory returns. 



"A culture of Farmogerm for soy beans failed to cause inoculation. 



"A comparative test of Farmogerm and Nitragin cultures for Lima beans 

 and cowpeas showed the sui)eri<)rity of the former for cowpeas and the 

 superiority of the latter for I^ima beans. 



" No cross inoculation occurred between Canada field i)eas and cowpeas, 

 and between lupines and soy beans. 



"Cooperative tests of Nitragin cultures for cowpeas on different soils and in 

 different parts of the State gave positive results in three out of four cases. 



" The experiments recorded here show that on soils properly drained and 

 properly supplied with moisture, lime, phosphates, and potash, the commercial 

 cultures, Farmogerm and Nitragin, are capable of increasing the yields of such 

 leguminous crops as had not been previously grown on the land." 



Nitrogen, the plant, and the farmer, J. M. Hector (Scot. Farmer, 18 (1910), 

 Nos. 891, p. SO; 802, pp. 103, 106; 893, p. 129; 89',, p. loO).— This is a review of 

 investigations on the fixation of free nitrogen by plants. 



Bacterial activity as a corrosive influence in the soil, R. H. Gaines {Abs. 

 in Science, n. ser., 31 {1910). No. 190, p. 269). — This is an abstract of a paper 

 read at the Boston meeting of the American Chemical Society, in which the 

 corrosion of iron and steel structures embeddetl in the soil is ascribed to acid 

 constituents of the soil resulting from bacterial activity. The remedies pro- 

 posed are free drainage or the use of slaked lime to neutralize the acids. 



The role of fertilizers, L. Chaptal {Prog. Agr. et Vit. {Ed. VEst-Centre). 31 

 {1910), No. 8, pp. 232-236). — This is a brief discussion of the theories of soil 

 fertility and the functions of fertilizers advanced by the Bureau of Soils of this 

 Department. 



Fertilizers and fertility, J. F. Cowell {Proc. 8oc. Amer. Florists. 2^ {1908), 

 pp. 51-51). — The recent advances in scientific knowledge on this subject are 

 briefly reviewed with especial reference to their bearing upon horticultural 

 production. 



Formulae for preparing- fertilizers, F. B. Guthrie {Dept. Agr. N. S. Wales, 

 Farmers' Bnl. 11, pp. 29, fig. 1). — The fertilizer mixtures given in this bulletin 

 are suggested as fulfilling the requirements of different crops on average soil 

 under conditions in New South Wales. 



