41 G EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



liibution of the calcium and magnesium carbonates in these soils was similar 

 to that in soils derived from marls, that is, the percentage of these constituents 

 was higher for the finer particles and decreased in the sand components of the 

 soil. There was no relation between the total lime, magnesia, phosphoric acid, 

 potash, and nitrogen contents and the size of the soil particles. The amount 

 of these constituents in the individual groups of soil particles was found to be 

 dependent entirely upon the mineral composition of the soil particles which go 

 to make up the individual groups. 



It was also found that the solubility of phosphoric acid, calcium, and mag- 

 nesium of the diabase subsoil in hydrochloric acid was greater than that of 

 the surface soil. This was though^ to be due to the more advanced weathering 

 of the subsoil. 



Gray sand and hardpan (Ortstein), Wilhelm Graf zu Leiningen (Ahhandl. 

 Kfititrhist. GeseU. Nitrriberg, 19 (1911), No. 1, pp. y+45, fig. 1; ahs. in Internat. 

 Mitt. Bodenk., 1 (1912), No. 6, pp. 58k, 585). — This report contains a review of 

 the literature and an account of the author's own contributions to the subject. 

 It is shown that hardness of hardpan is not dependent upon the iron compounds 

 it contains but seems to be closely related to the moisture content of the soil. 

 The aeration of the soil also seems to prevent the extreme hardening of the 

 hardpan formation. 



It is held that no one theory regarding the formation of hardpan has gen- 

 eral application since the conditions of formation vai'y with the locality, espe- 

 cially with the kinds of vegetation and climatic conditions. Ortstein is rich in 

 alumina and phosi)horic acid and poor in lime, magnesia, and potash. Diluvial 

 gray sand is, as a rule, poor in plant-food constituents. It may, however, be 

 more fertile when the soil is formed in place. As a rule, the absorptive capacity 

 of gray sand is low. Ortstein is not associated with any definite formation, al- 

 though it generally occurs in fertile, loose sands and also on granites and 

 buntersandstein. It is seldom formed in lime and gneiss soils. The age of 

 ortstein has been determined In one case to be over 2.000 years. 



Regarding brovru soils, K. D. Glinka (Pochvoviedienie (PMologie), IS 

 (1911). No. 1, pp. 17-48; abs. in Intei-nat. Mitt. Bodenk., 1 (1912), No. 6, pp. 

 578-580). — The author reports a study of typical formations of the so-called 

 brown soils of central Europe as compared with similar formations (podzol 

 soils) in Russia. It is stated that these brown soils are in a less advanced state 

 of " podzolization " (chemical leaching processes under the influence of the 

 solvent action of humus acids) than those of Russia, which are not of a typical 

 brown type. 



A geological sketch showing the distribution of the brown soils in Europe and 

 in Asia is included. 



Tlnproductive black soils, S. D. Conner and J. B. Abbott (Indiana Sta. Bui. 

 157, pp. 235-26.'i. fig/t. 5). — It is stated that Indiana contains, principally in the 

 northwestern counties, several hundred thousand acres of black or peat soils 

 which are more or less unproductive but capable of being made fertile and 

 productive by drainage and fertilization. Cooperative experiments were, there- 

 fore, undertaken on this soil in different counties to test the value of various 

 fertilizer materials and mixtures for its improvement. Chemical analyses of 

 samples of the soil are also reported. 



The results showed that these soils were more often deficient in potash than 

 in any other element and that applications of potash gave decided profit. 

 " Some black soils of Indiana are more or less acid. Where there is strong 

 acidity some form of basic lime, such as pulverized limestone, should be applied. 

 On acid soils phosphoric acid is almost always needed in addition to limestone. 



