512 EXPEEIMEN^T STATION RECORD. 



to the distribution and adaptiitiou of plants. The artiflf in. illustr:ited with 

 detailed soil maps of the districts. 



Soils of Roumania {Rev. Sci. [Pflri.s|. //.9 (19J1), I, No. J 6, pp. 503, .WJ,)-- 

 This article, which refers to a continuation of studies of soils of Roumania by 

 INIurgoci (B]. S. R., 23, p. 315), is based upon a geological soil map published 

 by the Geological Institute of Bucharest. It gives tlie results of mechanical and 

 chemical analyses of different steppe, forest, residuary, and alluvial soils of 

 the region, as well as of studies of their distribution and agricultural value. 

 I'articular attention is called to variations in the humus content of the soils. 

 In the chernozem soils east of Moldavia and Muntenla the humus content was 

 from 4 to 6 per cent, in the chestnut-colored soils of the southeast 4 per cent, 

 in the yellow or light-brown soils along the Danube 2 per cent, and in the cul- 

 tivated steppe soils it was very low. 



Surrounding Bucharest and central Moldavia there occurs a ferruginous 

 soil wath 2 per cent humus. It is reported to contain a sort of hardpan (ortstein ) 

 stratum of ferromagnesic concretions from 10 to 15 cm. (3.94 to 5.91 in.) below 

 the surface. 



The m^anganese content of Italian soils, A. Coxtino {Staz. Sper. Agr. Ital., 

 J,Jf (1911), No. 1, pp. 51-55; abs. in Chem. Zentbl., 1911, I, No. 18, p. 137^).— The 

 literature relating to the occurrence of magnanese in the soils and ash of 

 plants is reviewed and determinations of manganese in a large number of 

 Italian soils are reported. The method used in the determination is described. 

 The amount of manganese found (calculated as Mn304) varied from 0.03 to 0.48 

 per cent, with an average of 0.17 per cent. 



Soil conditions of German East Africa, V. Lommel (Pflanzer, 7 {1911), No. 

 4, pp. 221-227). — In this article the author discusses the origin, extent, and im- 

 portance of the different soil types of this region, which are classed as sands, red 

 loam, volcanic soils, and alluvial soils. 



Soils of Java, E. C. J. Moitr {Tcysmannia, 20 {1909), Nos. 8, pp. Jf 86-490; 

 10, pp. 621-631; 11, pp. 679-686; 12, pp. 7.57-772; 21 {1910), Nos. 2, pp. 79-91; 

 4-5, pp. 238-250; 6, pp. 355-364; 9, pp. 578-595; 10, pp. 638-654; lU PP. 701-712; 

 12, pp. 747-752). — The work here reported deals with the classification of Java 

 soils, based on a study of the parent rock, climate, and weathering processes. 

 It includes under residuary types the red laterite, yellow laterite, light, dark 

 brown, and alkali soils, and under secondary or transported types soils formed 

 by rivers, seas, and wind. 



From the observations the following relations between climatic conditions 

 and soil types were noted : I^ow countries having hot climates, much sunshine, 

 and wet seasons give rise to red laterite soils, whereas countries with similar 

 climates and amount of sunshine but with alternating wet and dry seasons 

 form dark soils. With continued dry seasons alkali soils are formed. 



Rugged countries with cloudy, moderately warm, and wet conditions give rise 

 to the yellow laterite soils, whereas countries with the same cloudy conditions 

 and temperature but with alternating wet and dry seasons form dark brown 

 soils. High rugged regions where cool and wet conditions prevail give rise to a 

 soil consisting of a white weathered mass covered with a dark humus layer. 



Two compounds isolated from peat soils, C. S. Robinson {Jotir. Amer. 

 Chem. Soc., 33 {1911), No. 4. pp. 564-568; ahs. in Jour. Chem. 8oc. [London], 

 100 {1911), No. 583, II, p. 431). — The isolation of leucin and isoleucin from 

 peat soils is reported. 



Soil formation and the importance of geological-agronomical maps for 

 fruit culture, Lienau {Ber. Landw. Reichsamte Innern [Oermany'], 1910, No. 

 17, pp. 37-54). — This is a lecture delivered before the German Pomological 



