322 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol. 36 



It was found that when nitrification takes place in soil which contains even 

 traces of sodium, potassium, and calcium, tlie corresponding nitrates are formed 

 which — when conditions favorable to denitritication, such as water-logging, ax'e 

 produced — are decomposed, giving rise to alkaline bicarbonates. It was found 

 that such denitrification takes place only when the soil is so saturated with 

 water as to be completely deprived of air. The alkaline bicarbonates formed 

 are capable under certain conditions of being transformed into carbonates. 



Further observations on protozoa in relation to soil bacteria, T. Goodey 

 (Proc. Roy. Soc. [London], Ser. B, 89 {1916), No. B 616, pp. 297-314, figs. 5; 

 abs. in Jour. Soc. Chem. Indus., 35 {1916), No. 11, p. 986). — In continuation and 

 extension of work previously reported (E. S. R., 33, p. 515) on the inoculation 

 of protozoa into soil, experiments are reported with a fibrous loam soil repre- 

 senting an attempt to eliminate the source of error of the previous experiments 

 occasioned by introducing large numbers of bacteria into the soil along with 

 the added protozoa. The aim was to inoculate a partially sterilized soil with 

 protozoa freed from bacteria. A method is described whereby protozoa were 

 successfully separated from large numbers of bacteria and used for mass inocu- 

 lation of a treated soil. 



It was concluded from the results obtained that " protozoa, especially amoeba 

 of the Umax group and other larger forms, can lead an active existence and 

 multiply in soil and exert a depressing effect on bacterial numbers." It is con- 

 sidered probable that for a given soil a certain point must be reached in proto- 

 zoal numbers before the depression In bacterial numbers is caused. In the soil 

 under investigation this number appeared to be approximately 30,000 Amoeba 

 Umax per gram. It appeared to be necessary to add the protozoa to a treated 

 soil in a small quantity of untreated soil to insure their having a suitable 

 medium in which to grow and multiply. It did not appear possible to carry out 

 mass inoculations of protozoa into treated soil in such a way that they come 

 into action and limit bacterial activity, and the explanation advanced to account 

 for this failure is that the treated soil alone affords an unsuitable medium for 

 the active trophic existence of protozoa. 



Soils of the Sabak district on the Bemam River, J. Geantham {Agt\ Bui. 

 Fed. Malay States, // {1916), No. 9, pp. 298-SOO). — Mechanical and chemical 

 analyses of 13 samples of coconut and jungle soils are reported and discussed. 

 The soils of the district are all of the heavy clay type of medium acidity and 

 of alluvial origin, with the clay portion varying from about 20 to over 40 per 

 •cent, the higher percentage preponderating. They contain a fair percentage 

 of organic matter and are characterized by being unusually rich in potash and 

 nitrogen. The phosphate content, while rather low, is said to be above the 

 average for the country. 



Investigation of the peat bogs and peat industry of Canada, 1913-14, 

 A. Anrep {Canada Dept. Mines, Mines Branch Bui. 11 {1915), pp. X 11+185, 

 pis. 122, figs. 66). — Particulars are given of the detailed examination of peat 

 bogs in the Provinces of Ontario, Quebec, Prince Edward Island, and Nova 

 Scotia. In addition are included over 60 photographic illustrations of plants 

 found in and composing the bogs investigated, and a number of translations of 

 ©fficial documents on the utilization of peat, dealing with recent developments 

 in European practice. 



The analysis of soils, L. J. Wild {Jour. Canterbury Agr. and Past. Assoc, 

 3. ser., 4 {1916), pp. 35-41). — A brief discussion of the numerous factors upon 

 which the fertility and productiveness of a given soil depends is given in order 

 to show the impracticability of attempting to judge a soil on the basis of 

 analytical data only. 



