(344 ^EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



capacity for absorbing atmosiiheric moisture; they are rich in nitrogen and phos- 

 phoric acid and moderately supplied with potash, but because of the large proportion 

 which the iron oxidsand alumina liear to the lime, the phosphoric acid must T)e very 

 little available, and the conditions are made unfavorable for the renewal of the supply 

 of available potash and nitrates as they are exhausted from the soil. With judicious 

 calcareous manuring, followed later by applications of potash and perhaps of a little 

 soluble phosphate, these lands should show great endurance under intelligent 

 cultivation. . . . 



"In the manured lands of each estate the quantities of citric-soluble i)otash and 

 phosphoric aidd are both very much greater than in those unmanured. Especially is 

 the higher amount of lime notal^Ie, and its j^resence as carbonate." 



The examination of the mica schist soil showeil it to T)e a ferruginous clay contain- 

 ing a fair supply of fertilizing constituents, but apparently in need of active lime. 



Some Cuban soils of chemical interest, W. Frear and C. P. Beistle {Jour. 

 Amer. Chem. Soc, 25 {1903), No. 1, pp. 5-J6). — An abridged account (dealing only 

 with virgin soils) of the studies more fully reported in the preceding article. 



First report on a chemical and. physical study of the soils of Kent and Sur- 

 rey, A. D. Hall and F. J. Flymen {Smithea.stcni. Agr. ('ol., Wi/e, Ept. to Tech. Ed. 

 Com. of Kent and Surrey, 1902, pp. 69, map 1). — This is a first report on a systematic 

 survey of the soils of these 2 counties, the object of which is to fix the types of soil, 

 trace their boundaries, and ascertain their normal variations. The soils are classified 

 and mapped according to their geological origin. About 80 samples of soil and sub- 

 soil were examined wholly or in part as regards physical characteristics and chemical 

 composition and the results are reported, with descriptions of methods employed and 

 suggestions as to the fertilizer re(iuirements and methods of treatment and cropping 

 of the various type soils. 



The methods of chemical analysis used are essentially those noted elsewhere (E. 

 S. R., 13, p. 914). The type soils reported on are those of the London clay, chalk, 

 and gault clay. 



Results of investigations of Turkestan soils, P. KossovicH et al. {Rpt. Agr. 

 Client. Lah. Dept. Agr., ml. .7; rer. In. ZJinr. Opailii. Agron. [Jour. Expi. TMndjo.l, 3 

 {1902), No, 1, p. 57). — The report gives the results of a c-omplete analysis of the 10 

 per cent hydrochloric acid extract of 23 samj^les, mechanical analyses of 10 samples, 

 and determinations of the principal constituents and an examination of a water 

 extract (alkali salts) of 74 soils and subsoils. Experiments on the soils with wheat, 

 oats, peas, and pines showed that their cultural value depends largely on their alkali 

 content and that of the plants tested the Turkestan wheat was most resistant to alkali 

 while the pine was least resistant. — p. fireman. 



Contributions to the knowledge of the soils and the vegetation of Western 

 Siberia, A. Gordyagin {Kazan, 1901; rev. la Zhur. Opidln. Agron. [.four. Expt. 

 Landw.'], 3 {1902), No. 1, pp. 87-90). — The western part of the basin of the Irtish 

 River is divided by the author into the following 5 zones from north to south: 

 (1) The podzol covered with firs and pines, (2) wooded chernozem with birch for- 

 ests, (3) steppe chernozem, (4) the zone of chestnut soils with little forest growth, 

 and (5) desert steppes with light colored soils, AtripJex canum being the typical 



plant. p. FIREMAN. 



Mechanical and chemical examination of soils, R. H. Loughridge {California 

 Sta. Rpt. 1899^1901, pt. 2, pp. 172-189, figs. 4). — Mechanical and chemical analyses of 

 4 samples of soils, with discussions of the soil characteristics of the regions from 

 which the samples were obtained, viz, Potter Valley, Arroyo Grande Valley, and 

 San Gorgonio Pass. There is appended a list of soils received by the station for 

 examination, and of minerals, rocks, etc., sent for identification. 



Alkali reclamation at Tulare Substation, C. H. Shinn {California Sta. Rpt. 

 1899-1901, pt. 2, pp. 204-214, figx, 7).— The progress of this work, begun in 1889 (E. 



