FERTILIZERS. 1041 



Study of the soils of Russia, N. Ssibirzeff (Mem. Congres. Geol. Intermit., 1S97, 

 No. 5, pp. 73-125). 



Soil temperatures with and without coverings of plants and snow, H. Wild 

 ( Mem. Acad. Imper. Sci. St. Peiersbourg, 8. Her., Classe Phys. Math., 5 (1897), No. 8). 



Sampling of soil for analysis, H. Lagatu (Prog. Agr. et Fit., 28 (1897), No. 47, pp. 

 603-606, fig. l).—k trench is dug to a depth of 0.6 meter. On the vertical side of 

 this the character of the different soil layers is noted. A rectangular section is first 

 taken to a depth of 0.3 meter, mixed, and from it a 2 kg. sample taken. The next 

 0.3 meter of the section is sampled in the same way and ordinarily taken as repre- 

 senting the subsoil. The latter rule is varied if the preliminary examination shows 

 the soil to vary sharply at less than 0.3 meter. More than 2 kg. is necessary in very 

 rocky soils. 



Sampling of alkaline soils, E. W. Hilgard and R. II. Loughridge (Ann. Sci. 

 Agron., 1S97, II, No. 3, pp. 394-431, dgms. 6).— A translation by J. Vilbouchevitch of an 

 article in the Annual Report of the California Station for 1894-95, p. 37 (E. S. R., 8, 

 p. 677), entitled "The distribution of the salts in alkli soils." 



Nitrogen and forest growth, E. Henry (Ann. Sci. Agron., 1897,11, No. 3, pp. 

 359-381). — A general discussion, based mainly upon the work of others, of the causes 

 of gain or loss of nitrogen in forest soils, especial attention heing given to lixation 

 of nitrogen by micro-organisms. It is shown that forest soils are enriched in nitro- 

 gen and mineral matter. 



Moors and moor culture in Bavaria, A. Baumanx (Forstl. Naturw. Zts<-ltr., 6 

 (1897), No. 2, pp. 393-409; 7 (1898), No. 2, pp. 49-7.', pi. 1, Jigs. 2). 



On culture trials on marshy soils at Herrenas (Finland), M. vox Essen 

 (Biet, IS (1897), No. / .'. pp. 328-335). 



On so-called poor soils and the crops they can produce, I. G. Agardii 

 (A'. Landt. Akad. Handl. Tidslr., 36 (1897), No. 5, pp. 267-287). 



Influence of forests on subterranean water, P. Ototzkv (Ann. Sci. Agron., 

 1897, II, No. 3, pp. 455-477, pis. 2). — This is a translation from the Russian giving the 

 results of a hydrologieal survey in the steppes region. The conclusion is reached 

 that, physico-geographical conditions being the same, the level of ground water is 

 lower in the forests than in the adjacent steppes or in general in neighboring open 

 spaces. The level falls as forests are approached, the fall sometimes being very 

 sudden, and it is more marked in case of old forests than new. It Avas noted also 

 that at the surface of the ground water had an incline opposite that of the soil. 



FERTILIZERS. 



Absorptive powers of litter for ammonium carbonate, N. Pas- 

 SERINI (Ann. B. Acad. Georgifili, 20 (1897); abs. in Ann. Agron,, 24 (1898), 

 N~o. 2, p. 92). — Instead of testing the absorptive power with water, as 

 is usually done, the different kinds of litter, straw of cereals and 

 leguminous plants, leaves of trees, peat, etc., were treated with a 

 solution of ammonium carbonate of known strength, kept for two hours 

 in a closed flask and the amount of ammonium carbouate absorbed 

 noted. The cereal straws showed a low absorptive power, although 

 varying greatly among themselves, barley, oat, and rice straw having 

 the highest absorptive power. Cutting or grinding had but little effect 

 upon the absorptive power of wheat straw, but increased that of corn- 

 stalks seven times. The absorptive power of the litter of leguminous 

 plants was much greater than that of cereal straws ; that of the leaves 



