14 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



banana soils are reported, and the condition and needs of the soils are discussed. 

 The examinations were limited to the three points named because previous 

 analyses and exi)eriments had indicated that the soils are not in present need 

 of commercial fertilizers, but require special attention to drainage and humus 

 and in some cases lime. 



The lime coiitent of some esparcet soils, F. G. Stkbler (Landir. Jahrh. 

 8chirciz, 20 (lOOtl). A'o. .3. pp. Ill-ISO). — Examinations of a number of soils on 

 which esparcet was grown show that this and like plants can be successfully 

 grown only on soils containing very small amounts of calcium carbonate and of 

 good i)hysical properties. 



Kegeneration of overlimed soil, S. Maki and S. Tanaka (BuI. Col. Agr.. 

 Tokyo Imp. I'liir.. 1 (UIOC). .Ao. J. pp. (U-ih't, fui. 1). — Pot experiments with 

 barley are reported which indicate that only one-twentieth as much magnesia 

 (MgO) in sulphate as in maguesite is needed to bring about favorable condi- 

 tions for barley on overlimed soil. 



On the formation of humus, S. Suzuki {BuJ. Col. Afir.. Tokyo I)iip. Tnir.. 7 

 (1906), A'o. 1, pp. 95-99). — Observations on decomposition of oak leaves in flasks 

 under different conditions show " that magnesium carbonate promoted the 

 development of carl)onic acid, while calcium carbonate retarded it," and lead 

 to the conclusion that " the humification process is promoted by magnesium 

 carbonate and retarded by calcium carbonate." The addition of soluble phos- 

 phate overcame in a measure the retarding action of the calcium carbonate. 

 An examination of the physical and microscopic properties of the leaves indi- 

 '"•ated that " the change in color and brittleness and also the development of 

 mycelium go parallel with the development of carbonic acid. . . . 



"After sterilization and introduction of the peculiar kind of Penicillium 

 known thus far only under the name of ' Schokoladenfarbener Schinnnelpilz ' 

 the humification process proceeded much slower than under the original con- 

 ditions." 



Plant nutrition studies, E. B. Yoorhees and J. G. Lipman (Xeic Jersey .S7fl.s. 

 Rpt. 1905. pp. .ni-.m, pis. (J). — The methods and appliances devised for "a 

 comprehensive study, first, of the needs for plant food of certain rather well- 

 defined soil types, when used for general farming ; and second, the mineral 

 requirements in the growth and development of legumes " are described, and 

 the first year's results with cowpeas. oats, and oats and cowpeas on red shale 

 soil classed as (1) good (i)roducing 20 bu. of wheat per acre), (2) medium 

 (producing 15 bu. of wheat), and (?>) poor (producing 10 hu.) are rei»orted. 



" While these studies were carried out by means of the pot system, in which 

 small amounts of soil are used under controlled conditions, the system used 

 varied somewhat from that generally practiced in work of this character, where 

 the pots are carried on trucks, which may be run to shelter during showers or 

 rainy weather. The system adopted avoided the removal of the pots from the 

 open air at any time, prevented an undue raising of the temperature, as the 

 surfaces of the pots were not directly exposed to the atmosphere, and provided 

 an easy means of weighing for controlling the amount of water added. The 

 system may be described as follows : ... In the first place, a framework was 

 erected, :i ft. high, 8 ft. wide, which was enclosed with matched boards, with 

 openings on the top for insertion of the i)ots. . . . 



" In order to protect the jars from he:?t radiated from the covering of the 

 frame, boards were nailed to cleats on the inside, thus providing an air space 

 between the jars and the outside covering. 



"An iron ring of the same dijimeter as the hole for the jar was placed on the 

 top of the box for each jar, in order to facilitate weighing the jars without 



