554 EXPEKIMENT STATION RECORD. 



WATER— SOILS. 



Water, A. J. J. Yandevelde {IM water, zijn nut en zljne geraren roar den viensch. 

 (llmd: G. Van Duosselaere, 1902 , pp. 23) .—K general discussion of properties and 



uses. 



Six months' daily examination of Melbourne tap water, T. Cherry {Proc. 

 Roil. Soc. Virtoria, n. ser., 15 [1903), pt. 1., pp. 69-75).— The methods and results of 

 bacteriological examinations are given. 



Sanitary analyses of some Iowa deep well waters, .T. B. Weems {Proc. Iowa 

 Acad. Sci.,9 (1901), ]/]i. 6^-70).— Analyses of samples of water from 20 different places 

 in the State are reported and the sanitary quality of tin- different waters is discussed. 



On the purification of drinking- water by means of ozone, E. Sugg and A. J. J. 

 Vandevelde {Reprint from Tijdschr. Toerjepaste Scheil: en Hyg.,6 {190£), No. l,pp. 8). 



The chemical composition of sewage of the Iowa State College sewage 

 plant, .]. B. Weems, .T. C. Brown, and R. C. Myers {Proc. Iouki Acad. Set., 9 {1901), 

 pp. 70-<?0).— Chemical examinations of the sewage at frequent intervals are reported. 

 The determinations made include free and albuminoid annnonia, nitrite and nitrate 

 nitrogen, solids before and after ignition, and oxygen consumed. 



A consideration of the action of saline irrigation water, C. F. Eckart 

 (Hawaiian \_Sugar Planters''} Stn. Rpt. 1902, pp. 24-74, 76-100, pJs. 7).— A series of 

 lysimeter experiments to test the effect of saline water on soils and sugar cane is 

 reported. 



"Five large tubs of the same dimensions and capable of holding 250 lbs. of soil 

 were converted into lysimeters as follows: Over the perforated bottom of each tub a 

 strip of coarse linen and another of wire gauze were placed to prevent the carrying 

 away of particles of earth in the drainage waters following irrigation. Fifteen pounds 

 of black sand formed a porous layer about 2 in. thick at the bottom of each lysimeter 

 and on top of this were placed 200 lbs. of soil. Underneath each tub a large galva- 

 nized-iron funnel was attached to conduct all drainage into a receiver, where it was 

 caught for measurement and analysis. . . . Two pieces of sound Lahaina seed cane, 

 each bearing 2 eyes, were planted in each lysimeter. . . . An excessive amount of 

 irrigation water was applied weekly throughout the experiments, [one] lysimeter 

 receiving fresh water and the other lysimeters receiving water containing 200 gr. of 

 salt to the gallon. Both the amount of water applied per irrigation and its percentage 

 of salt were made large to intensify the resulting action on the soil, which was 

 determined 1)y the analysis of the respective drainage waters." 



To note the fixing j)ower of the soils for different fertilizing materials, as well as 

 the influence of salt on nitinfication, 4 of the tubs received each 5 gm. of potash as 

 sulphate and 5 gm. of phosphoric acid as double superphosphate. The nitrogen, 10 

 gm. for each tub, was applied in different cases as nitrate of soda, sulphate of 

 ammonia, and dried blood. One tub receive*! no fertilizer. 



Data regarding the amounts of irrigation and drainage, the composition of the 

 drainage water, and evaporation are reported and discussed in detail. The general 

 conclusions reached are that salt in "irrigation water renders available large amounts 

 of the lime, magnesia, and potash in the soil. Where the water is saline, over- 

 irrigations are necessary to keep the salt from reaching harmful accumulations in the 

 soil, consequently enormous quantities of lime and magnesia, and a very large amount 

 of potash must be washed out with the salt. Under such conditions the soil will 

 eventually be<;ome dei>leted as regards these elements and become unproductive, 

 unless they are replaced in the land. Occasional liming is considered especially 

 necessary when saline irrigation waters are used. 



"The quantity of salt that may he contained in irrigation water without producing 

 material injury to the cane varies to a large extent with the nature of the soil and 



