214 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



there was a large decrease in nitrates when a soil was allowed to stand for 

 some time in contact with water. The greatest amonnt of nitrates at the end 

 of 24 hours was found in soil to which about two-thirds of the water required 

 for saturation had been added and declined as saturation was approached. The 

 addition of a small amount of chloroform or heating of the soil after satura- 

 tion with water to 125° C. for .5 minutes prevented this change of nitrates in 

 case of all the soils examined. 



Investigations are reported which indicate that excessive rains do not wash 

 the nitrates from the soil as rapidly as has been supposed. " While the 

 samples of soil examined in this work have not been numerous, extreme types 

 have been included from different islands, and the data obtained are sufficient 

 to warrant the assertion that a widespread characteristic of Hawaiian soils 

 is that when thev are at cr near the saturation point with respect to water 

 there is a change of nitrates and an apparent fixation of a portion of the 

 nitric nitrogen in a form not easily soluble." 



Previous investigations on the constitution of the nitrogenous compounds in 

 Hawaiian soils were continued. It was found that while the percentage of 

 nitrogen compounds in the soils is large, their solubility in water is low although 

 more readily soluble in hot acids and alkalis. Hot acid solutions were studied 

 by the Osborne and Harris method. The striking point observed was the 

 large amount of nitrogen contained in the magnesia precipitate and the con- 

 clusion was reached "that in the soil nitrogen which is soluble in boiling acids 

 a portion, approximately 50 per cent, is in a form unlike, for the most part, 

 the products of decomposition of protein bodies with acids." 



On dry distillation the soils rich in nitrogen examined gave an alkaline dis- 

 tillate containing ammonia, as well as pyridin and some of its homologues not 

 yet identified. The author believes that the pyridin exists in some form in the 

 soil and reports some preliminary studies of oxidation of the soil by neutral 

 and alkaline permanganate, which, however, yielded no very definite results. 



The exploitation of peaty soils, F. Xicolle {Jour. Agr. Prat., n. scr., 11 (1906), 

 'No. 25-26, pp. 75S-761). — The methods of reclaiming and bringing under culti- 

 vation of such soils are briefly discussed, especially methods of drainage and 

 fertilizing. Fertilizer experiments on peaty soils are cited as indicating that 

 although potash is deficient in many cases, peaty soils are as a rule more benefited 

 by phosphatic fertilizers, particularly phosphatic slag, than by potash fertilizei's. 



Shifting sands, W. S. Birge (Amer. Inventor, 15 (1906), No. 9, pp. 230, 231, 

 fif/s. Jf). — A brief account of the work of this Department on Cape Cod, Massa- 

 chusetts, with sand-binding grasses. 



Soil temperatures, C'. C. Georgeson (I'. *S'. Dept. Af/r., Office Expt. Stas. Bui. 

 169, pp. 91-93). — Readings at 7 a. m. of thermometers G in. above the ground 

 and G and 21 in. below at the experiment stations at Sitka, Copper Center, and 

 Kenai during the season of 1905 are reported. 



Hints for agricultural associations (Cent. Apr. Com. Madras Circ. 6, pp. 

 5). — Among the more important subjects briefly discussed in this circular are 

 reclamation of alkali land, the use of various kinds of manures, tillage, irriga- 

 tion, new crops, and cultural methods. The means which it is claimed have 

 been successfully employed in India for reclaiming alkali lands include hurdling 

 cows on the area and thus allowing the manure to accumulate, green manuring, 

 fencing to increase growth of natural herbage, use of crude calcium nitrate from 

 artificial niter beds, plowing in paddy straw (on wet alkali lands), and appli- 

 cation of gypsum. The artificial preparation of niter is exjdained. 



The improvement of wet and alkali meadows, J. Farcy (Jour. Agr. Prat., 

 V. scr., 11 (1906). No. IS, pp. 56'). 566). — Methods of drainage, irrigation, and. 

 fertilizing \/hich will cori-ect the unsatisfactory conditions are briefly described. 



