726 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



255-324; nbs. in Chem. Zaithl., 1911, J, No. 25, pp. 1761-17G3; Zturhr. An.gew. 

 Chem., 21, (1911), No. 25, p. 1188; Jour. 8oc. Chem. Indu.s., 30 {1911), No. 13, 

 p. 821; Chem. Ahx.. 5 (1911). No. 19, p. 331.'i).— This article roijorts the res\ilts 

 of tests of different methods of determiniiiij lime in soils, and correlates these 

 with resnlts of a larj^e number of pot exi)eriments with lime fertilizers con- 

 ducted during 1905 and 1906 on 10 soil types and with a number of different 

 plants. 



It was found that the usual methods of determining lime in soils gave un- 

 certain results, but that the authors' simplified method, extraction with 10 per 

 cent hydrochloric acid, was more satisfactory. The lime content as determined 

 by this method, however, gave no reliable indication of the behavior of the soil 

 toward a lime fertilizer. The lime content obtained by extraction with 10 per 

 cent hydrochloric acid was substantially the same as that from extraction with 

 ammonium chlorid, lower than that for the sulphuric acid extraction, and 

 higher than that for the carbon dioxid solution. 



Different plants varied in their behavior toward lime fertilizers and the 

 acidity of the soil. The utilization of the lime of the fertilizer, as well as of 

 the soil, was small, the highest amount being about 4 per cent for the soil and 

 about 5.6 per cent for the fertilizer. There was no relation between the lime 

 taken up by the plants on different soils, and that which was soluble in carbon 

 dioxid solution. There was no constant relation between the lime assimilated 

 by the plants and that soluble in a soil solution. 



The authors are of the opinion that mineral soils are more generally acid 

 than is commonly believed, and that the determination of the acid content of 

 soils must be given more attention in the future. 



The relation of recent soil investigations to the use of fertilizers, F. K. 

 Cameron (Amer. Fert., 35 (1911), No. 3, pp. 52-56). — This article is in large 

 part a review of soil investigations and a statement of the teachings of the 

 Bureau of Soils of this Department with reference to soil fertility. It discusses 

 the composition and individuality of soils, dynamic properties, natural supply 

 of mineral nutrients, organic constituents, soil management, and the use of 

 fertilizers. 



The development of the use of fertilizers from the time of Thaer to the 

 present, Gerlach (Jahrb. Deut. Landw. Gesrll., 26 (1911), No. 1, pp. 145-151/). — 

 A historical review for Germany. 



The use of commercial fertilizers on moors, heaths, and marshes, Tacke 

 (Jahrh. Deut. Loiuliv. Gesell., 26 (1911), No. 1, pp. 131-lJ,'t).—N brief review 

 of present knowledge on this subject. 



Drill manuring in Hungary, J. Gyarfas (Deut. Landw. Prcsse, 38 (1911), 

 No. 11, pp. 193, 194; «?>-5. in Iniernat. Inst. Agr. [Rome], Bnl. Agr. Intel, and 

 Plant Diseases, 2 (1911), No. 4, pp. 824, 825). — In experiments with barley, 

 oats, rye, and wheat here reported 115 kg. of superphosphate per hectare 

 (102.35 lbs. per acre) applied with a drill gave better results than 345 kg. 

 (307.05 lbs.) applied broadcast. 



The loss of ammonia from manured soils, P. Eheenberg (Fiihling's Landw. 

 Ztg., 60 (1911). Nos. 13. pp. 441-452; I4, pp. ./,7.9-500).— Investigations on this 

 subject are reviewed, showing that when manure is incorporated with the soil 

 there is practically no loss of ammonia but that a considerable loss occurs under 

 certain conditions when the manure is spread on the surface of the soil. 



The production of ammonia from peat, N. Caro (Chem. Ztg.. 35 (1911), Nos. 

 56, pp. 505-507; 57, pp. 515, 516). — Investigations on the production of ammonia 

 from wet and dry peat by treatment with steam under pressure are reported, 

 showing that the production is larger and more rapid from wet peat and that 

 there is no fixation of atmospheric nitrogen in the process. 



