EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 215 



SOILS— FERTILIZERS. 



The natural scientific basis for agricultural technique, E. Feige {Xaturims- 

 aenschaften, 1 (1913), Xo. 52, pp. 1305-1307; abs. in Chem. Zentbl, 1914, I, No. 

 H, p. 806). — This is a brief discussion of factors in soil cultivation, physical 

 properties of soil, importance of huinus and of fertilizers, and the food re- 

 quirements of crops, which points to the importance of a thorough knowledge of 

 natural occurrences in connection with cultural measures for improving growth 

 conditions. 



Testing soils in the laboratory and field, W. H. Stevenson and P. E. Brown 

 (lawa 8ta. Circ. 15 {1913), pp. 2-16, fig. i).— This circular gives a list of ques- 

 tions for the farmer to answer regarding the lay of his laud, the crops grown, 

 fertilizers added, etc., to enable the station to advise him as to the proper 

 treatment of the soil; describes the litmus paper test for soil acidity and the 

 hydrochloric acid test for carbonates; presents the details of field tests to 

 determine the fertilizer requirements of soil for both live stock and grain 

 farming; aud gives miscellaneous information regarding commercial fertilizers. 



Composition and agricultural value of the arable lands in Argentina, P. 

 Lavenib (Inteniat. Inst. Agr. [Rome], AIo. Bui. Agr. Intel, and Plant Diseases, 

 5 (1914), Nos. 1, pp. 9-18; 2, pp. 145-154). — The physiography and representa- 

 tive soil types of the agricultural area of Argentina are described, physical 

 and chemical analyses of soils reported, and the soils discussed as regards 

 fertility and crops. 



This area is an immense plain, a large part of which is arid. The soils are 

 deep, rather fine alluvial beds with a variable clay content and range in 

 texture from heavy to very light. They are usually well supplied with fer- 

 tility constituents except lime. In one or two localities, however, the soils 

 are high in lime and low in organic matter and nitrogen, and in some cases 

 phosphoric acid. The subsoils are more or less impervious except where the 

 soils are very light and contain much lime. The soils of many of the more 

 arid localities contain injurious amounts of alkali, and irrigation is a quite 

 frequent and necessary practice. 



Alkali lands, L. T. Shaep (Better Farming [Univ. Nev.], 1 (1913), No. 4, 

 pp. 4-8). — This is a brief discussion of the subject containing analyses showing 

 fertilizing constituents and alkali salts in 50 samples of Nevada soils. 



[Nitrogen supply of the Indian soil], C. M. Hutchinson (Ann. Rpt, Bd. 

 Sci. Advice India, 1912-13, pp. 123-126) .—Azotohacter was found in all Indian 

 soils examined. Pure cultures of A. chroococcum from soils of widely different 

 character " exhibited nitrogen fixing power very similar to that recorded from 

 European strains, its physiological activity depending upon appropriate supplies 

 of water, air, lime, and especially of carbohydrate food." 



In experiments with green manures it was found that the successful use of 

 such manures depended almost entirely upon the moisture conditions follow- 

 ing the turning under of the crops. "Laboratory experiments showed that 

 the nitrate formed from the buried plant tissues increased in amount up to 

 the end of eight weeks from the time of turning into the soil, provided the water 

 supply was kept up to at least 16 per cent of the soil weight, but after this period 

 a steady diminution took place, so that after twelve weeks a smaller quantity of 

 nitrate than that present at the end of the eighth week was invariably found." 

 To avoid the loss due to insufficient moisture in the soil and to hasten the 

 initial stage of decomposition the crops were cut, steeped in water, and allowed 

 to ferment in heaps, the fermented material being used in the same way as 

 barnyard manure. " The advantages of this method, m addition to the principal 



