SOILS PERTILIZEBS. 419 



Nitrates in soils, F. L. Stevens {Science, n. ser., 35 {1912), No. 913, pp. 996- 

 1000).— An abstract of this paper has already been noted (E. S. E., 2G, p. 723). 



The influence of molasses on nitrification in cane soils, S. S. Peck 

 {Uatoaiian Sugar Planters'' Sta., Agr. and Chem. Bui. 39, pp. 5-25, charts 8). — 

 In continuation of previous experiments on tbis subject with solutions and 

 small quantities of soil (E. S. R., 24, p. 224), observations were made on 24 

 lysimeters, previously described (E. S. R, 25, p. 824), filled with surface soil 

 from the station field. 



Four lysimeters received no nitrogen and 4 each received sodium nitrate, 

 ammonium sulphate, and high-grade tankage in amounts furnishing 100 lbs. of 

 nitrogen per acre. Eight received the same amount of nitrogen in form of a 

 mixture of equal parts of the 3 fertilizing materials named. One series of 

 lysimeters was irrigated with water alone, one with water containing tlie 

 equivalent of the ash content of 40 gal. of molasses per acre-foot of 3,000,000 

 lbs. ; one series received molasses at the rate of 40 gal. per acre-foot before each 

 irrigation ; and one series i-eceived molasses at the rate of 400 gal. per acre-foot 

 1 week before the first irrigation. The molasses used contained nitrogen 0.27 

 per cent, lime 0.84, magnesia 0.99, potash 5.68, phosphoric acid 0.18, sulphuric 

 acid 1.58, and chloriu 3.66 per cent. For the purpose of these exi)eriments the 

 ash was assumed to be composed of potassium chlorid 7.69, potassium sulphate 

 1.53, magnesium sulphate 1.32, and calcium phosphate 0.40 per cent. 



A study of the drainage water from the lysimeters gave results confirming the 

 conclusions from the previous experiments, indicating that " molasses applied 

 to land which is receiving the usual fertilizer applications as pi'acticed in 

 [Hawaii] will work harm by causing a part of the nitrogen applied as nitrate 

 to revert back to less available or unavailable forms of nitrogen; by checking 

 the nitrification of sulphate of ammonia dressings, and by retai'ding the am- 

 monificatiou and nitrification of the nitrogen of organic fertilizers. The harmful 

 effect of molasses dressings is due entirely to the organic constituents of the 

 molasses, the mineral matters having no influence. Dressing ^ith carbonate 

 of calcium does not correct such adverse action of molasses." 



Bacteriological studies of the fixation of nitrogen in certain Colorado soils, 

 W. G. Sackett {Ceutbl. Bald, [e^c], 2. Abt., 3'/ {1912), No. J,-7, pp. 81-115, 

 figs. 5). — This is substantially a reprint in the German language of Bulletin 179 

 of the Colorado Experiment Station (E. S. R., 25, p. 815). 



Regarding legume cultivation and inoculation experiments, A. Eichinger 

 {Pflanzer, S {1912), No. Jf, pp. 190-219). — Experiments were made to determine 

 the value under Amani (German East Africa) conditions of inoculating soils 

 (with nitrobacterine) with and without fertilizers for the growth of Desmodiiim 

 tortuostim, Canavalia ensiformis, soy beans, and cowpeas, and the value of 

 these crops for green manuring purposes. 



The best results were obtained by soaking the seeds before inoculating. The 

 heavier classes of soil were not benefited by inoculation. Applications of super- 

 phosphate increased the number of nodules formed, whereas with sodium nitrate 

 no nodules were formed. 



The tests with different crops were for the most part inconclusive, and are 

 being continued. The work with the soy bean, however, seemed to indicate 

 that the production of this crop is not profitable for this region. 



Regarding a new method of soil aeration in its scientific and practical 

 aspects {Deut. Landw. Presse, 39 {1912), Nos. 41, pp. 483-485; 42, pp. 493- 

 49S). — This article is divided into three parts, as follows: (1) A description of 

 the method and its development, by M. Friedersdorff ; (2) observations on the 

 effect on the soil of the above method of aeration, by P. Holdefleiss; and (3) a 



