SOILS FERTILIZERS. 117 



wero also found to be deticient in jjlK^spliorie acid hut fairiy well supplied with 

 potasli. Nitrogen and vejietable matter were apparently jienerally needed. 



A comparison of tlie results of chemical analysis with those obtained in the 

 field experiments showed a very close agreement in regard to the indicated 

 needs of plant food. Summing up this comparison it is stated that " the results 

 of the field experiments demonstrate the immediate response to the elements of 

 plant food as applied. The amounts of the various materials that may be used 

 with profit are also indicated. The chemical analysis, on the other hand, only 

 indicates the probable immediate need of the different elements, but demon- 

 strates the extent of the total available soil supplies, a matter of very great 

 importance." 



Soil drainage and fertility, T. L. Lyon, G. W. Cavanaugh, and E. O. Fippin 

 {New York Cornell Sta. Circ. If, pp. 4). — This is a concise summary of informa- 

 tion regarding the principal causes of decline in fertility of soils and practical 

 means of improving productiveness. 



Judg'ing' of the productiveness of soils by their composition, M. Fleischer 

 (Dciil. Lcnidtv. Pressc, 36 (1909), No. 26, p. 28S).—lt is pointed out that the 

 content of fine particles and the mineralogical character of the coarse particles 

 as well as the chemical composition and the solubility of the constituents should 

 be taken into account in judging soils. 



The salinity of soils, L. Dumas (Ann. Genibloiix, 19 (1909). No. //. pp. 

 221-231). — This is a general discussion of the character and function of the 

 soluble saline constituents of the soil. 



On certain physical-chemical processes in the formation of soils, II, 

 liOHLAND (Landiv. Jahrb., 3S (1909), No. 2, pp. 273-278; abs. in Chem. Zentbl., 

 1909, I, No. l.'i. p. 1188). — The author corrects an error in statements by Ehren- 

 berg relating to previous investigations by the author on plasticity of clay, 

 coagulation, etc. (E. S. R., 19, p. 620; 20, p. 818). 



Observations and researches on soil temperature, III, S. de Grazia (Ann. 

 R. Staz. Chim. Agr. Sper. Roma, 2. ser., 2 (1907-8), pp. 383-J,00 ; Staz. Sper. Agr. 

 Ital., J,t (1908), No. 9-11, pp. 739-756; ahs. hi Chem.. Zentbl, 1909, I, No. 12, p. 

 1035). — This is a third report on the same general subject (E. S. R., 21, p. 20), 

 but dealing specifically with the causes of the rise in soil temperature produced 

 by certain organic manures. The two principal factors of sucli increase being 

 fermentation of the organic substances and the aeration which they make pos- 

 sible in the soil, the object of the study was to determine the relative importance 

 of these factors. 



By the use of peat, pieces of glass tubes, whole straw, finely cut straw, pota- 

 toes, glucose, straw infusion, and potassium phosphate singly and combined in 

 various ways it was possible to secure the following conditions : No aeration 

 with slight and active fermentation; marked aeration with no and active fer- 

 mentation ; good aeration with slight fermentation ; and fair aeration with fair 

 fermentation. It is concluded that both aeration and fermentation are causes 

 of increase of soil temperature, but that probably the latter is the more im- 

 portant. The fermentation seems actually to produce heat while aeration ena- 

 bles the soil to retain both the heat due to fermentation and any which it maj* 

 have acquired from the surrounding air. 



Tanks for soil investigation at Cornell University, T. L. Lyon (Science, 

 n. ser., 29 (1909), No. 7.'i6, pp. 621-623, figs. 2).— The construction of a series of 

 concrete tanks each 4 ft. 2 in. square with a maximum vertical depth of 4 ft. 

 6 in. and*a minimum depth of 4 ft, to be used in soil investigations of various 

 kinds, is described. 



On a method of bacteriological investigation, H. Fischer (Centhl. Bakt. 

 [etc.], 2. Alt., 22 (1909), No. 18-23, pp. 65.), 655; ahs. in Chem. Zentbl., 1909, /, 



