922 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



tilizers, and the soils low in ithosplioric acid (eoutaiuiug below 0.07 per cent) 

 more often gave reaction with this fertilizer than those high in i)hosi)horic 

 acid (above 0.10 per cent). A closer study of the results obtained show, how- 

 ever, that one can not draw any conclusions as to the need of ])hosphoric acid 

 fertilization from the content of phosphoric acid (soluble in warm 18 per 

 cent hydrochloric acid) in the soil. Only the root crops appear always to re- 

 spond to phosphoric acid fertilization when the soil contains small amounts of 

 phosphoric acid (below 0.07 per cent). Contrary to the conclusion of Lieb- 

 scher and others, the author does not find that the iron oxid or alumina con- 

 tents of soils are of any value for determining their need of phosphoric acid 

 fertilizers. 



Potash. — The total potash content of these soils ranged between 1 and 2 per 

 cent, and that soluble in 18 per cent hydrochloric acid, from 0.03 to 0.45 per 

 cent, the latter content, generally speaking, running parallel to the zeolite con- 

 tent and the alumina soluble in sulphuric acid (kaolin and zeolites). The 

 fertilizer trials shov>'ed that about one-half of the soils needed potash, but there 

 is apparently no direct relation between this need and the potash content of the 

 soils or their physical character (light or heavy soils), the former soils respond- 

 ing frequently, while the latter occasionally did not need potash. The need of 

 potash is apparently dependent on both of these factors, and each alumina con- 

 tent has a certain corresponding normal potash content, above or below which 

 an addition will not or will be required. A chart is given showing the relation 

 between the alumina and the potash contents of the soils in question (1 per 

 cent AI2O3 : 0.085 per cent K2O, 2 per cent AI2O3 : 0.11 per cent K2O, 3 per cent 

 Al2O3:0.13 per cent K2O, etc.). Besides the potash and alumina contents of 

 the soil, its potash requirements also depend to some extent on the particular 

 crop grown, the normal crop yield, and the presence of lime in the soil. 



Lime. — ^About two-thirds of the soils examined contained sufficient lime. The 

 sandy soils were most frequently in need of this ingredient, less frequently the 

 light clays, and but rarely the heavy clays. In the case of the latter soils the 

 effect of the lime on the physical condition of the soils was, however, of 

 importance. 



[Analyses of tea soils], A. C. Kingsford and M. K. Bamber {Report on the 

 tea industries of Java, Formosa and Japan. Colombo, 1D07, pp. lt~l'i). — 

 Mechanical and chemical analyses of a number of typical tea soils from different 

 parts of Formosa are reported in comparison with the results of analyses of 

 Ceylon tea soils and classified with reference to the quality of tea produced. 



Reports upon the Irish peat industries, part 1, H. Ryan (Econ. Proc. 

 Roy, Dublin Hoc., 1 {UKn), No. 10, XVIII, pp. 311-},20, pis. 3, figs. 8; abs. in 

 Nature [London], 76 (1907), No. 1977, pp. 52S-.530, figs. 4)- — This is an abridg- 

 ment of a paper giving an account of the distribution and industrial utilization 

 of the peat deposits of Ireland. It refers especially to the reclamation of peat 

 bogs by drainage, burning, and manuring, and the utilization of the peat for 

 fuel, fiber, distillation, and for the manufacture of moss litter, paper, etc., with 

 accounts of machinery and processes employed. 



Method of treatment of peat and peat bogs, A. MDntz and A. C. Girard 

 (French Patent 377,711, July 18, 1906; abs. in Jour. Soc. Chem. Indus., 26 

 (1907), No. 20, pp. 1100, 1101). — A method of utilizing peat in the preparation 

 of ammonium salts for use in agricultural industry is described. The method 

 is based upon scientific investigations which have already been noted (E. S. 

 R., 18, p. 430). 



Burning' clay soils for cultural purposes, W. Bagger (Dcut. Landw. 

 Presse, 34 (1907), No. 88, pp. 69.',, 69.:). — A method of burning clay for the 

 construction of small lateral drains is described and recommended. 



