SOILS FEETILIZERS. 723 



How to improve our heavy clay soils, A. R. Whitson, E. J. Delwiche, and 

 F. L. MuSBACK (Wiscomin Sta. Bui. 202, rev. (1914), pp. 3-16, figs. 5).— This is 

 a revised edition of this bulletin (E. S. R., 25, p. 19). 



Ways of improving our sandy soils, A. R. Whitson, F. J. Sievers, and 

 H. W. Ullspergeb (Wisconsin Sta. Bui. 204, '"ev- (1914), PP- 3-27, figs. 11). — 

 This is a revised edition of this bulletin (E. S. R., 25, p. 19). 



Dry farming in Washington, C. C. Thom and H. F. Holtz (Washington 

 Sta. Popular Bui. 69 (1914), pp. 31, figs. 6).— This is a popular bulletin for 

 farmers and new settlers. 



Soils, M. Hoffmann (Jahresber. Landw., 28 (1913), pp. 21-54). — This is a 

 classified review of recent reports of investigations on this subject. 



Fertilizers and fertilizing, M. Hoffmann (Jahresber. Landw. , 28 (1913), 

 pp. 54-99). — ^A classified review is given of recent reports of investigations. 



Outline of the function and use of commercial fertilizers, E. O. Fippin 

 (Neio York Cornell Sta. Circ. 23 (1914), PP- 21-28).— A brief popular discussion 

 of the subject. 



Fertilizers in Central America, J. E. van dee Laat (Los Abonos en Centra 

 Amdrica. San Jose, Costa Rica, 1914, PP- 53, figs. 6). — The need of fertilizers 

 on tropical soils is emphasized, and information regarding the nature and use 

 of fertilizers suited to the crops and soil of this region is given. 



Fertilizer for south China, A. E. Caeleton (Daily Cons, and Trade Rpts. 

 [U. S.], 17 (1914), No. 214, p. 1404).— It is stated that the trade in fertilizers 

 in China has not materiallj- increased in recent years, but that the prospects 

 favor an improvement in the future. The total value of manures and fertil- 

 izers of all kinds imported into China during 1913 was $700,872. This included 

 among other things various natural manures, bird guano, bean oil cake, sodium 

 nitrate, and ammonium sulphate, the latter mainly for use on rice. 



Absorption of fertilizer salts by Hawaiian soils, W. McCeorge (Hawaii 

 Sta. Bui. 35 (1914), PP- 32). — A chemical study of the absorptive power of 

 different types of Hawaiian soils for phosphoric acid, potash, and nitrogen in 

 different forms is reported in this bulletin. 



The fixation of phosphoric acid was found to be much higher than that of 

 other elements, due to the highly basic character of the soil. Apparently the 

 fixation of potash and ammonium nitrogen was controlled largely by the 

 amounts of lime and magnesia present in the soil. The absorptive power of 

 the soil for nitrate nitrogen was found to be almost negligible except in the 

 case of highly organic soils. Dx'ying the soil had but slight effect upon its 

 fixing powei'. The results indicate that fertilizer salts are more strongly 

 fixed when applied singly rather than in mixtures. The effect of heat and 

 antiseptics on the absoiiDtive power of soil was not very striking and the results 

 were not very consistent. The removal of the absorbed elements approached 

 a constant quite rapidly in the case of potash and ammonium salts, but more 

 slowly in that of the phosphates. 



Soil tank experiments, S. E. Collison (Florida Sta. Rpt. 1913, pp. XCVIII- 

 GII). — Experiments with fertilizers for citrus trees were continued as in pre- 

 vious years (E. S. R., 29, p. 211) in two series of four tanks each, the data 

 for composition of the drainage obtained from the tanks during the year 

 being tabulated without comment. Brief notes are also given on the character 

 of the season, especially the rainfall, and on the growth of the trees. 



Nitrification of organic manures, J. W. Patebson and P. R. Scott (Jour. 

 Dept. Agr. Victoria, 12 (1914), No. 6, pp. 321-329, figs. 2).— In continuation 

 of previous experiments on the relation of moisture and certain soil con- 

 stituents to nitrification (E. S. R., 28, pp. 217, 720), a study was made of the 



66492°— No. 8—14 3 



