120 EXPERIMENT STATION EECORD. 



the surface soil. All forms of tillage of the soil which tend to increase aera- 

 tion promote nitrification and diminish denitrification. 



It was observed that in February and April on a compact soil such as is 

 found in a wheat field there was no evidence of nitrification. The author con- 

 cludes that as this is a period of very active nitrogen assimilation by wheat 

 its supply of this material must be obtained from ammoniacal compounds. 



The gum produced by Bacillus radicicola, R. E. Buchanan {Centbl. BaM. 

 [etc], 2. AM.. 22 (WOO), A'o. 11-13, pp. 311-395; ahs. in CJiem. Ztg., 33 (1909), 

 No. 35, Re pert., p. 167). — A detailed study of the composition of this gum and of 

 the conditions affecting its production is reported, with a bibliography of the 

 subject. 



Nitro-bacterine, nitragin, or soil inoculation, H. von Feilitzen {Svcnska 

 Mosskulturfor, Tidskr., 23 {1909), No. 2, pp. 154-163, pi. 1, fig. 1; Centbl. Bakt. 

 [etc.], 2. AM., 23 {1909), No. 10-13, pp. 314-318, tils. 2).— The results of ex- 

 periments on a virgin white moor soil at Flahult led the author to conclude 

 that there is no occasion to abandon the advice previously given farmers to use 

 soil inoculation, which always produces a certain and favorable effect. Prepa- 

 rations of bacteria cultures are more or less uncertain. 



New ideas and new experiments in fertilization and inoculation of the 

 soil, I. GiGLioLi {Nuovi Concetti e Niiove Espcrienze nella Concimazione ed 

 Tnoculazionc dei Terreni. Rome, 190S, pp. 58. figs. 1 ; Bol. Quind. 8oc. Agr. Ital., 

 13 {1908), No. 22, pp. 914-1021, figs. 1). — This paper is in the nature of a resume 

 of knowledge relating to oxidation and oligodynamic constituents of the soil ; 

 enzymic action of roots upon the organic matter of the soil ; use and function of 

 manganese as a fertilizer ; new cultural experiments with manganese dioxid 

 and with manganese salts ; the law of the minimum in biologic action ; roots 

 and their toxins; and organic inoculation of the soil. It concludes with a brief 

 biographical sketch of Torricelli and Bai'bieri, pioneers in the field of the 

 physics and chemistry of the atmosphere. 



Fertilizer problems, Wein {IUus. Landw. Ztg., 29 {1909), Nos. 15, pp. 129- 

 132; 16, pp. 143, 144)- — This is a review of various practical questions which 

 have arisen in connection with the use as fertilizer of potash salts, phosphates, 

 and nitrogen compounds, especially the synthetic nitrogen compounds which 

 have been recently introduced. 



Chemical industry and agriculture, A. Frank {Dcut. Landiv. Pressc, 36 

 {1909), Nos. 19, pp. 209, 210; 20, pp. 222, 223; 21. pp. 233, 234; 22, pp. 241, 248; 

 24, pp. 261, 268). — This article discusses the development of chemical industry 

 in relation to the supply of plant food — phosphoric acid, potash, and nitrogen. 

 The development of methods for the preparation of nitrogen compounds from 

 the free nitrogen of the air receives particular attention. 



On experiments to determine the need of phosphoric acid and potash in 

 grass lands, P. Liechti {Landic. Jahrb. Schweiz, 23 {1909), No. 1, pp. 25-61). — 

 The plan followed and the results obtained in the series of cooperative experi- 

 ments in different parts of the Canton of Bern. Switzerland, with various 

 fertilizer mixtures on grass lands, are given in this article. 



Fertilizing with phosphoric acid alone increased the yield in about 61 per 

 cent of the experiments, and the use of potash alone in about 52 per cent. 

 The use of phosphoric acid and potash together increased the yield in about 80 

 per cent of the exi)erinients. The addition of lime to phosphoric acid and 

 potash was of very little benefit. The use of liquid manure gave higher results 

 than a mixture of potash and phosphoric acid. In a number of cases no benefit 

 was derived from the fertilizers during the first year, but when the average 

 for three years was taken a decided benefit in many of these cases was noted, 



