WATER — SOILS. 831 



the form of bone ineal and of sulphate of ammonia were added. In 

 one series of experiments no lime was added; in the other series 3 gm. 

 carbonate of lime were added in each case. The soils were kept moist, 

 and the carbon dioxid which passed off was measured. After several 

 weeks the samples were extracted with water, and ammonia and nitric 

 nitrogen were determined in the solution. The soils were also extracted 

 with dilute hydrochloric acid and the ammonia determined. The results 

 show that the soil originally contained sufficient lime for the nitrifica- 

 tion of the bone-meal nitrogen, but that the addition of lime was 

 necessary for the transformation of the ammonium sulphate. In case 

 of the soil to which no lime was added only 0.19 per cent of the nitrogen 

 added in form of ammonium sulphate was nitrified, while in the experi- 

 ments with lime 7G per cent of this nitrogen was transformed. The 

 author concludes that the good results obtained in this case are due to 

 the neutralization of the sulphuric acid of the sulphate of ammonia by 

 the calcium carbonate, and that this result can not be accomplished as 

 effectively by any other form of lime. 



The effect of carbon bisulphid on the fertility of soils, E. Wollny 

 ( Vrtljschr. Bayer. Landw. Italh., 1898, No. v, pp. 319-342). — The results 

 of a series of experiments are recorded in which the effect of carbon 

 bisulphid on the fertility of the soil was studied. Pot and plat experi- 

 ments were made with various crops and fertilizers and the carbon 

 bisulphid was applied at different times. The author concludes that 

 treating the soil with carbon bisulphid during the vegetative period of 

 the crop is detrimental to the plants, but if the soil is treated several 

 months before the crop is planted its fertility is increased to a notice- 

 able degree, and the effect is noticeable in the growth of several suc- 

 ceeding crops. An explanation of this action of the carbon bisulphid 

 on the fertility of the soil is not given. It was found that activity of 

 the nitrifying organisms and the root-nodule bacteria of legumes is 

 temporarily retarded by the carbon bisulphid treatment, but that 

 eventually their activity again becomes normal. 



Well water from farm homesteads, F. T. Shutt {Canada Expt. Farm* Rpt. 1897, 

 pp. 180-1S5). — The results are given of analyses with reference to sanitary condition 

 of 66 samples of well water; "one from British Columbia, 6 from the Northwest 

 Territories, 28 from Ontario, 8 from Quebec, 7 from New Brunswick, and 17 from 

 Prince Edward Island. < >f these, ~>0 per cent were reported dangerously polluted and 

 unsafe for drinking purposes, 25 per cent as suspicious and in all probability as 

 unsafe, and 25 per cent as unpolluted and wholesome." 



Soil analysis, its historical development and its significance to agriculture, 

 A. Otto (Fiihling's Landw. Ztg., 47 (1S9S), No. 23, ]>. SO.').— A general discussion. 



The calcareous efflorescence found on cultivated soils, P. Sestini t.ltli. J,'. 

 Accad. Econ. Agr. Georg. Firenze, H ( 1898), Xo. 2, pp. 14, pi. 1).— The. analyses showed 

 the samples of this substance examined to be essentially carbonate of calcium and 

 magnesium with a small amount of carbonate of ammonia. 



The judging of the physical properties of soils by means of the heat which 

 they evolve when moistened, A. Mitscheruch (Beurtheilung der pJiyaikalischen 

 Eigensehaften des Aekerbodens wit HUfe seiner Benetzungawarmer Inaug. Diss., hid, 

 189S,pp. 52, ph. .).— See E. S. K'.. 10, i>. 123. 



