SOILS FERTILIZERS. 721 



crop adaptation aud the feasibility of leaching the Klamath marshlands, which 

 include about 50.000 acres on the boundary line between Oregon and California. 



It is stated that these lauds have been formed from disintegi-ated aquatic 

 vegetation without any considerable quantity of rock residue or silt, and contain 

 injurious amounts of alkaline salts, chiefly sodium carbonate. 



" On account of the highly impervious character of the marshland, the leach- 

 ing out of these alkaline salts is rendered vei'y difficult and appears to be im- 

 practicable by any methods at present known. The expense would exceed the 

 prospective value of the land. 



" The air-drainage conditions on the Klamath marshlands are such that low 

 temperatures and killing frosts are likely to occur every month in the year, 

 thus limiting the possible agriculture to the hardier species of crop plants." 



The conservation of [Iowa] soils (Rpt. Iowa Drain., Waterways and Con- 

 serv. Corn., 1909-10, irp. 161-181, pis. 3). — This article discusses the causes of 

 deterioration of soils, especially as applied to Iowa conditions, and urges the 

 study of methods of conservation of their fertility. 



A preliminary report on the mountain soils, B. W. Kilgore, E. L. Wobthen 

 and W. E. Hearn (Bui. .Y. (J. Dept. Agr., 32 ilOll), \o. .5, pp. ,52, fifj-s. .9).— This 

 bulletin reports the results of analyses of, and of fertilizer experiments on, the 

 different soil types of the mountain section of North Carolina, and is based on 

 11 years' study of these soils to determine the different types, their location, ex- 

 tent, plant food and other constituents, fertilizer needs, and crop adaptation. 



The soils are all residuary and are derived from igneous and metamorphic 

 rocks, mainly gneisses, schists, and granites. The upland soils belong to the 

 Porter's series, represented mainly by loam and sandy loam types, and smaller 

 areas by clay, sand, and black loam. The valley and bottom lands are included 

 in the Toxaway series and are of alluvial origin modified by colluvial wash. 

 The two types thus far found are Toxaway loam and Toxaway fine sandy loam. 



Although there is considerable variation, the soils as a whole are very high in 

 potash, low in phosphoric acid, and fair in lime content. The amount of nitro- 

 gen varies with the quantity of vegetable or organic matter in the soil and is 

 generally low. Fei'tilizer tests showed that potash did not benefit crops, but 

 that phosphoric acid first, and nitrogen second, are the controlling constituents 

 in increasing yields. 



A chemical study of certain Sandhill soils of South Carolina, T. E. Keitt 

 (Soulh Carolina Sta. Bui. 159, pp. 3-2.',, fig. i).— This bulletin reports the re- 

 sults of mechanical and chemical analyses of the Sandhill soils of South Caro- 

 lina, and correlates these with past cultural and fertilizer practices on such 

 soils, consideration being given to the distribution of plant food constituents. 



The Sandhill region is situated below the fall line and comprises what was 

 once the shore border. " It is believed to have been covered by the Lafayette 

 formation, a very heterogeneous formation, composed of gravel, sand, silt, and 

 clay, which ranges in color from brick red through various shades to white." 

 In some places it has been eroded, and in others it has been covered by later 

 and less gravelly marine formations. It embraces parts of Aiken, Lexington, 

 Richland. Kershaw, and Chester counties. 



Analyses of characteristic northwest timber soils, J. S. Jones {Jour. Indus, 

 and Enyin. CJiein., 3 (1911), No. Jf. pp. 2)6, 2//7). — This article reports the results 

 of analyses of bench, valley, and elevated timber soils of Idaho. 



The bench lands have an elevation of about 2,000 ft. The surface soil is a 

 fine sandy loam, shading into a light cla.v loam at a depth of from 20 to 24 in., 

 which continues to a depth of from 10 to 12 ft. without any material change in 

 physical characteristics. 



