528 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



under different methods of surface treatment determined. The results show the 

 importance of surface cultivation for the economical application of water. 



Methods of determining the fertility and the nitrate nitrogen of chernozem 

 soils, V. I. Sazanov {Zhur. Opuitn. Agron. [Russ. Jour. E'xpt. Landic], 9 

 (1908), Xo. 6, pp. 750-770, dgm. 1). — The object of this investigation was to 

 study the changes of the nitrate nitrogen content of chernozem soil at different 

 depths and in different seasons of the year. The results showed that in the 

 course of the growing period the upper layers of the soil are at times very rich 

 in nitrate nitrogen, while at other times, e, g., in the early spring, they are very 

 poor, probably as a result mainly of leaching. In making pot experiments, 

 therefore, the time of taking the soil from the field strongly affects the yield. 



Soil nitrogen, H.G. Knight and F. A. Smith {Wyoming 8ta. Bui. 82, pp. 3-32, 

 fig. 1, dgm. 1). — This bulletin is based upon chemical examinations of soils from 

 a number of differently treated plats on the station farm, and deals not only 

 with the results of these examinations but discusses in general the factors deter- 

 mining soil fertility with esi^ecial application to the conditions prevailing on 

 the Laramie Plains. Attention is called especially to the unfavorable conditions 

 for biological activity and the accumulation of humus and nitrogen in the soil. 



The data reported indicate that the amount of humus in the soils of the 

 station farm is small and it is stated that this will probably apply to the soils 

 of the region in general. " Where legumes are grown, if nodules are not devel- 

 oped, the indications are that the legumes decrease the percentage of nitrogen 

 in the soil, thereby impoverishing it instead of improving it, as is the case where 

 nodules are developed and the nitrogen-flxiug bacteria harbored. It thus appears 

 that to increase the humus in the soil it is necessary to use well rotted manure 

 or plow under green crops." 



The growth of leguminous crops and soil inoculation, W. Biffen {West 

 Indian Bui., 10 {1909), Xo. 1, pi). 9S-10(j). — This is a rather complete review of 

 investigations bearing on this subject, including the results of tests at different 

 places in the West Indies of " nitro-bacterine " cultures on leguminous crops 

 and sugar cane. The results were as a rule of a negative character, indicating 

 that the subject needs further investigation. 



Soil bacteriological investigations, C. Barthel {K. Landtbr. Akad. Handl. 

 och Tidsh-i:, J,8 (1909), Xo. 3, pp. 228-256, fig. 1).—A summary of methods of 

 technique and investigations of Remy's method of bacteriological examination 

 of soils (E. S. R., 1.5, p. 8.59). 



Soils in the vicinity of Savannah, Ga., J. A. Bonsteel (U. 8. Dept. Agr., 

 Bur. Soils Circ. 19, pp. 19). — This is a preliminary report on an examination 

 of the soils of this region made in April, 1909, with a view to determining not 

 only the character of the soils but their adaptation to the production of staple 

 and special crops. The report also contains climatic data for the region. The 

 soils are comprised mainly in the Norfolk and Portsmouth series of the Atlantic 

 coast and are specially adapted to truck farming. Drainage is needed in case 

 of certain of the finer soils of the Portsmouth series. 



Niter soils, H. Gruneb (Deut. Landw. Presse, 36 (1909), Xo. 46, p. ^91). — 

 This name is given in Europe to soils which show a white efflorescence on the 

 surface in times of drought. Chemical analyses of the acid extracts of three 

 such soils are reported, but furnish no evidence of the presence of any consid- 

 erable amounts of nitrate. 



The action of manure, V. Viner (Abs. in Zhur. Opuitn. Agron. [Russ. Jour. 

 Expt. Landiv.-\, 10 (1909), Xo. 2, pp. 217, 218).— A summary is given of records 

 of systematic manuring of both summer and winter crops on a large estate dur- 

 ing a period of about 20 years. 



