SOILS FERTILIZERS, 117 



gage 14.84 lbs. per acre, of the 40-in. gage 15.89 lbs., of the 60-in. gage 14.(!4 lbs. 

 For the 28 years there has apparently been a gain of 8.68 lbs. per acre for the 

 20-in. gage, a loss of 20.72 lbs. for the 40-in. gage, and a gain of 14.28 lbs. for 

 the (>0-ln. gage. 



A list of 10 references to articles relating to this sniiject is given. 



The relatio.i between lime content of soils and plants, A. Kadgien (Fiili- 

 liiif/'!^ LaiiiUr. Zt(j., 55 {1906), No. !), pp. StO-SlO).— The lime content of a large 

 mnni)er of Prnssian soils is compared with that of varions crops grown on the 

 soils. In the (»pinion of the author so many conditions influence the lime content of 

 I he ]ilant that this can not be taken as a reliable index of the lime content of 

 tlie SI ill. The advantages of liming, particularly wh.en other manures are 

 liberally used, are discussed. 



On the lime factor for flax and spinach, S. Namikawa (Bui. Col. Agr., Tokyo 

 Imp. I'liir.. 7 ( 19(1(1). Xo. 1, pp. 57-60, fi(j. 1). — ^Pot experiments are reported 

 which indicate that a lime-magnesia ratio in the soil of 1 : 1 is the most favorable 

 f('r the growth of these crops. 



Some analyses of natural humus compounds, K. iMichelet and J. Sebelien 

 {Chcm. Ztg., 30 (1906), No. 31, pp. 3.76-,:].78).— Analyses of typical samples of 

 humus from 10 different sources, leaf mold, peat, soils, etc., are reported in 

 full, showing wide variations in the composition of the humus from the different 

 sources. Further studies of the behavior of the humus when treated with allca- 

 !ine solvents, etc., are contemplated. 



The control of soil moisture in orchard soils, F. T. Shutt (Canada Expt. 

 Farms Rpts. 1905, pp. 133-137). — In continuation of previous work (E. S. R., 17, 

 p. 119) two series of experiments, each comprising 3 plats, were instituted at 

 the experimental farms, Ottawa, in 1905 (1) to ascei'tain the moisture con- 

 tent of soil luider a thick mulch of straw as compared with that of a soil con- 

 stantly cultivated and uncultivated soil; and (2) to learn the relative moisture 

 content of soils under hairy vetch, tares, and constant cultivation. 



A series of experiments AA'ere also conducted on the experimental farm, 

 Nappan, N. S., on G plats " to contrast throughout the season the moisture con- 

 tent of soil (1) bearing an oat crop; (2) carrying a second season's growth of 

 clover (with timothy) and harvested; (3) similar to 2, but with the growth cut 

 from time to time and used as a mulch; (4) cultivated till June 15, then sown 

 with crimson clover; (5) cultivated till July 20, then sown with crimson clover; 

 (()) cultivated luitil July 20, then left undisturbed." 



On account of the ample and well-distril)nted rainfall at Ottawa the differ- 

 ences in moisture content under the different methods of treatment were not 

 very large. In the experiments at Nappan, however, where the rainfall was 

 deficient, the beneficial effect of cultivation in conserving soil moisture was very 

 strikingly demonstrated. 



The variation of land and water temperatures, W. F. Cooper ( Rpt. Midi. 

 Acad. Sci., 7 (1905), pp. .'lO-J/S). — This paper reports the results of a series of 

 observations on land and water temiieratures on the west side of Saginaw Bay 

 and east of Tobico Bay, northwest of Bay City. These show the average w^ater 

 temperature during the period of observation (August, 1904) to be 72.11°, that 

 of the land 72.38°. 



Calcium sulphate in aqueous solutions: A contribution to the study of 

 f Ikali deposits, F. K. Cameron and J. M. Bell (U. S. Dcpt. Afjr., Bur. Soils Bill. 

 33. pp. 77. p(/K. 77). — "The purpose of this bulletin is to bring together and 

 arrange in a logical sequence the results of the numerous investigations which 

 have been made on the relation of calcium sulphate to aqueous solutions. Ex- 

 perimental methods and details are either omitted or, if of unusual interest, 

 are described but briefly, since the numerous references to tbe iterature which 



