120 EXPEEIMENT STATIOISr RECORD. 



Influence of the soil on the composition of some plants, J. M. M. Dokmaae 

 (Mcded. Procfstat. Juva-Sicikerimlus., J90U, No. 23, pp. 585-599; ais. in Chem. 

 Zenthl., 1909, II, No. 8, p. 6J,9; Chem. Abs., 5 (1911), No. 6, pp. ii/J7).— Various 

 l)laiits were grown on volcanic ash and clay soil, and the total nitrogen, albu- 

 minoid nitrogen, nioistnrc, crude fiber, ash, and ash constituents were deter- 

 mined in the mature plants. The plants made better growth on clay than on 

 the volcanic ash, and contained more phosphates, sulphates, chlorids, and 

 potash, but less lime. 



Investigations on the value of root residues of various plants as nitrogen 

 collectors and green manure, E. Hotter, E. Herrmann, and J. Stumpf 

 (Ztschr. Landw. Versuchsw. Ostcrr., IJf {1911), No. 2, pp. 152-llJt). — Investiga- 

 tions similar to those of Werner and Weiske to determine the fertilizing effect 

 of the roots of alfalfa, red clover, vetch and oats, grasses, corn, winter wheat, 

 and oats, as compared with fertilizers containing nitrate of soda, are reported. 

 The weights and composition with reference to fertilizer constituents of the 

 above-ground and underground portions of various crops of these plants are 

 given, as well as the yields of winter wheat and oats following the turning 

 under of the roots of the leguminous plan^^" or applications of fertilizers con- 

 taining nitrate of soda. 



The results show in general that the turning under of the roots of the 

 leguminous plants produced as large an increase in yield the first year as the 

 application of normal amounts of nitrate of soda, and that the beneficial effect 

 was appreciable during two succeeding years, whereas there was no effect of 

 the nitrate of soda after the first year. 



The analyses showed that the root residues of the alfalfa supplied about 

 267.76 lbs. of niti'ogen per acre during four years, of the red clover 151.73 lbs. 

 per acre during 2 years, and of the vetch and oats 89.25 lbs. during 1 year, more 

 than enough to supply the needs of maximum crops of cereals. 



The authors conclude that by following a rotation in which from one-fifth to 

 one-sixth of the total area is kept in leguminous plants, the stubble of which 

 is turned under, the total amount of nitrogen required in grain farming can be 

 supplied, without resort to the use of nitrate of soda. At the same time the 

 above-ground portion of the leguminous crops can be fed to stock, the manure 

 from which will furnish an additional supply of nitrogen. 



On the penetration of fertilizers into the soil, A. Demolon and G. Broxjet 

 iSta. Ayron. Ainne Bill., 1010, pp. 73-So, figs. 2). — Observations on the rate of 

 dift"usion and depth of penetration of sodium chlorid in sand and clay, and of 

 sodium nitrate in garden soil, showed that even in sand the rate of diffusion of 

 sodium chlorid is very low, while the clay showed very strong absorbent power 

 for the chlorid. The rate of diffusion of nitrate of soda in loam soils was much 

 less than is generally assumed. There is apparently little danger of loss of 

 nitrates in strong soils during the period of plant growth. In view of the slow 

 rate of diffusion shown by these investigations the author strongly urges the 

 necessity of thoroughly mixing even the more soluble fertilizers with the soil 

 to a considerable depth. 



The use of nitrate of soda in commercial fertilizers, C. S. Cathcart (.lour. 

 Indus, and Engiii. Chem., 3 {1911), No. 1. pp. 30-32). — In view of the fact that 

 fertilizer manufacturers give as the principal i-easons for the comparatively 

 limited use of nitrate of soda in mixed fertilizers (1) the loss of nitrogen in 

 mixtures containing the nitrate, and (2) the unfavorable mechanical condition 

 of such mixtures, the author made a series of experiments which showed that 

 the loss of nitrogen from mixtures containing nitrate is not of great importance 

 if the materials are kept dry, but that there is an appreciable loss when the 

 mixtures absorb moisture. The experiments also showed that fertilizer mix- 



