216 EXPEEIMENT STATION EECOED. 



the absorption of water by the germinating seeds. Individual peculiarities of 

 the salts were only slightly discernible, and isotonic solutions of different salts 

 produced very similar effects. The toxicity of the dift'ei'ent salts to plants as a 

 rule manifested itself in plasmolysis of the contents of the root cells. In some 

 cases the salts h'eemed to have a chemical action, destroying the structure or 

 coagulating the contents of the surface cells of the roots. 



Variations in the content of nonnutrient salts in the soil solutions were 

 clearly reflected in the character of the growth of the plants and in the yield, 

 there being in solutions of high concentration and osmotic pressure quicker 

 changes in phases of growth, a reduction in total yield and yield of grain, and, 

 on the other hand, a marked increase in the amount of nitrogenous substances 

 in the plant and particularly in the amount of albumin in the grain (of wheat). 

 The effect of the osmotic pressure of the soil solution on the production of 

 nitrogen in the wheat grain was especially marked during the period of filling 

 and ripening of the kernels. 



The biological absorption of phosphoric acid in the soil, A. I. Dushechkin 

 {Zhur. Opytn. Agrrm. (Russ. Jour. Expt. Lnndw.), 12 (Idll), No. 5, pp. 650- 

 668; ahs. in Zcntbl. Agr. Chem., J,l (1912), No. 5, pp. 305, 306; Jour. Chcin. Soc. 

 [London], 102 (1912), No. 591, II, p. 677).— Studies of the biological absorption 

 of phosphoric acid from solutions in soils receiving starch and treated with 

 thymol and with chlorofoim are reported. Tests of the iuflueiice of sodium 

 nitrate on the biological absorption were also made. 



From the results of these studies it is concluded that in addition to the 

 physico-chemical absorption of phosphoric acid there was a biological absorption. 

 The latter increased with the starch content of the soil and also with the length 

 of time. It was more pronounced with the larger applications of phosphoric 

 acid. The fixation of phosi)horic acid by the micro-organisms took place not 

 only from the readily soluble forms but from the difficultly soluble phosphoric 

 acid of the soil as well, and was stimulated by additions of sodium nitrate. 

 Bacterial fixation of phosphoric acid was accompanied by a dissolving process. 



The origin of loess, C. L. Henning (Internat. Mitt. Bodenk., 1 (1912), No. 6., 

 pp. 51S-523). — Different theories regarding the origin of loess deposits are 

 stated, and the American literature is briefly reviewed with particular reference 

 to the work of E. E. Free of the Bureau of Soils (E. S. R., 25, p. 424). 



Soil fertility, C. G. Hopkins (Illinois Sta. Circ. 157, pp. 16). — This is an 

 address delivered before the Illinois State Farmers' Institute in which the 

 author discussed the more important methods and results of Illinois soil investi- 

 gations which support the conclusion " that for the most economic and profitable 

 systems of permanent agriculture in general farming, we should make large 

 use of natural materials including for normal soils ground limestone, raw rock 

 phosphate, and organic matter to be supplied by plowing under legume crops 

 and other crop residues, either directly or in farm manure." 



Cooperative study of Rhode Island soil defi.ciencies, H. J. Wheeler et al. 

 (Rhode Island Sta. BuJ. 1)9, pp. Jtl-19, pis. 2). — Accounts are given of experi- 

 ments begun in ISOO on a number of farms in different parts of the State with 

 a view of determining their lime and fertilizer requirements. The results have 

 previously been reported in large part in bulletins and reports of the station 

 (E. S. R.. 15, p. 665; 19, p. 317; 23, p. 21). 



Soil mapping and soil analyses, D. J. Hissink (Cultura, 2 J/ (1912), Nos. 

 283, pp. 128-132; 28^, pp. 158-163) .—T\\\b is a summary of the work of Hall and 

 I^ussell with reference to the soils of southeast England (E. S. R., 26, pp. 118, 

 119), and is offered as a criterion by which to determine the expediency of 

 conducting agricultural soil surveys in the Netherlands. 



