624 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol.38 



in the rate of decomposition of the green manure when added in a finely ground, 

 dry state and when used fresh and in a relatively coarse state of subdivision." 



A bibliography of the subject is given. 



Ten wheat fields in " Egypt." — A story in figures, C. G. Hophins, J. E. 

 Whitchubch and H. F. T. Fahrnkopf {Illinois Sta. Circ. 208 {1917), pp. 2). — 

 Wheat grown on poor soil on 10 fields in southern Illinois, where the Illinois 

 system of permanent fertility (E. S. R., 23, p. 17) is practiced, showed an aver- 

 age yield for 1917 of 8 bu. per acre from the land itself and of 20.5 bu. from 

 soil enrichments, such as manure, plant residues, limestone, phosphate rock, 

 and kainit. 



Fertilizer experiments, P. T. Shtttt {Canada Expt. Farms Rpts. 1916, pp. 

 189-169). — This reports and discusses the results obtained during 1915 in a 

 continuation and extension of systematic experiments with fertilizers in differ- 

 ent parts of Canada, previously noted (E. S. R., 36, p. 24). Numerous prelimi- 

 nary tests are in progress to determine the value of Atlantic coast seaweeds as 

 a nitropotassic fertilizer. 



The proper season for application of fertilizers to sugi (Cryptomeria 

 japonica) and hinoki (Chamsecyparis obtusa) seedlings and the eificacy of 

 fertilizers, S. Moriya {Extracts from Bui. Forest Expt. Sta., Tokyo, 1915, pp. 

 SJt-Jfl). — Experiments on loamy soil rich in humus, using ammonium sulphate, 

 sodium nitrate, rapeseed cake, and night soil as nitrogenous manures and sodium 

 phosphate and potassium sulphate, are reported. The total application of 

 nitrogen, phosphoric acid, and potash amounted to 112.5 kg. per hectare (about 

 100 lbs. per acre). 



It is concluded that the fertilizers used are more effective when applied at 

 the proper times than when repeatedly applied at other times. " The efficacy 

 of base manures was especially noted both for sugi and hinoki. . . . The 

 best example of the base manure both for sugi and hinoki is observable. . . . 

 for ammonium sulphate, Chile saltpeter, rapeseed cake, where one-third of 

 the entire quantity was given as base manure in a few days previous to the 

 planting of seedlings, while the rest was given as the top-dressings in two 

 times, viz, in the middle of September and early in May, next year." The best 

 effect was obtained with night soil when the entire quantity was applied before 

 planting. With sugi the second best result was obtained for ammonium sul- 

 phate, rapeseed cake, and night soil where one-half of the entire quantity was 

 given at first as base manure, while the rest was given in September, and for 

 Chile saltpeter where the entire quantity was given at four different times, 

 viz, at first as base manure, the beginning of June, the middle of September, 

 and early the next June. 



"Among the manures applied ammonium sulphate showed the best results for 

 both trees and rapeseed cake the worst. With sugi, night soil showed better 

 results than Chile saltpeter, but it was just the opposite in the case of hinoki." 



The cause of the injurious effect of sulphate of ammonia when used as a 

 fertilizer, R. W. Ruprecht and F. W. Morse {Massachusetts Sta. Bui. 176 

 {1917), pp. 119-13Jf, pi. 1). — In continuation of similar work previously noted 

 (E. S. R., 34, p. 622) the authors describe laboratory investigations with 

 field soils to determine the relations between sulphate of ammonia and salts 

 of aluminium, iron, and manganese, particularly the latter, and pot and water 

 culture tests to ascertain the quantities of these salts which will injure clover 

 seedlings. 



Based on the results obtained in these and the former studies, it is concluded 

 that " the positive presence of soluble salts of iron, aluminium, and manganese 

 in soils which have been repeatedly dressed with ammonium sulphate without 

 adding lime ; the formation of one or more of these salts in soils that were 



