FERTILIZERS. 849 



Geolog-y regarded in its economic application to agriculture by means of 

 soil maps, J. K. Kilkoe [llpt. BritiKh Axxoc ^Idr. Sci., I'JOl, jip. 643-645). — This 

 paper discusses the utiUzation of geological information in the valuation of land, the 

 improvement of estates, and in schemes of irrigation and drainage, and explains how 

 the drift maps of the British Geological Survey may be made more useful for this 

 purpose. 



The source of nitrogen in forest soil, R. G. Zon {Pop. Sci. Mo., 6.2 {1903), No. 

 o, pp. 436-440). — A brief discussion of this sul)ject based mainly upon the results of 

 observations by E. Henry, of the University of Nancy, France, that freshly fallen 

 leaves absorb atmospheric nitrogen in the process of decomposition. 



The natural improvement of soils, E. B. Voorhees {Penui^ijlvunla Dq)t. Agr. 

 Bui. ion, pp. 50, pis. 4)- — A nontechnical discussion of facts and principles, explain- 

 ing the chemical, physical, and biological differences in soils, the conservation of 

 moisture, tillage, mulching, and the use of lime and leguminous plants in improving 

 soils. 



Studies on the distribution of lime in the soils of vineyards, J. Difour and 

 H. Faes {Chron. Agr. Cantort \'au(l, 15 {1902), A'o.s. 19, pp. 547-551; 20, pp. 576-579; 

 21, pp. 609-612; 23, jjp- 655-661; 24, pp- 696-700). — The continuation and conclusion 

 of an article part of which has already been noted (E. S. R., 14, p. 231). Analyses 

 Avith reference to lime content of the soils of a large number of Swiss vineyards are 

 reported. 



A contribution to the chemical study of peat soils, G. Ongaro {Staz. Sper. 

 Agr. Ital., 35. {1902), No. 11-12, pp. 897-909).— Analyses of a number of samples of 

 peat soils are reported, with results of plat experiments on wheat and oats to deter- 

 mine their fertilizer requirements. 



On the treatment of moor soils, G. Grotenfelt {Flnska Mosskidt. AarhoJ:, 1901, 

 No. 1; (ihs. In Srensk Mosshi/f. ridsl-r., 16 {1902) , No. S, pp. 231-238). 



Notes on the occurrence of phosphatic nodules and phosphate-bearing 

 rock in the upper carboniferous limestone ( Yoredale ) series of the West 

 Riding of Yorkshire and Westmoreland border, J. Rhodes {llpl. BrilMi Assoc. 

 Adr. S'-L, 1901, p. 655). 



A case for soil investigations, R. Tiiiele {Ceidhl. Bali. u. Far., 2. Abt., 9 {1902), 

 No. 9, pp. 330-332, fig. 1). — A case tilled with the necessary apparatus for the study 

 of soil organisms is described. 



FERTILIZERS. 



Peat soil as a soil amendment, H. von Feilitzen {Svensk Mosshdt. Tklskr., 

 17 {1903), No. 1, pp. 11-19). — Experiments conducted on sandy, clayey, and moor- 

 land soils showed that applications of humus or peat soil rich in lime and in nitrogen 

 exert a very favocable influence on the productive capacity of these soils, largely 

 through the mechanical improvement of the soils resulting from the increase in their 

 humus contents, since a complete fertilization with nitrogen, phosphoric acid, potash, 

 and lime was given in all cases. The experiments were conducted with four differ- 

 ent crops — peas, oats, barley, and potatoes. If the yields harvested on the plats 

 which did not receive a dressing with peat soil be placed at 100, the relative yields 

 obtained as the result of applications of 66 to 264 cubic meters of peat soil per 

 hectare (1,000 to 3,800 cu. ft. per acre), were as follows: Peas on sandy soil, seed 

 105, vines and pods 103, on clay soil 108 and 110, respectively; barley on clay soil, 

 grain 125, straw and chaff 129; oats on sandy soil, grain 134, straw and chaff 129, on 

 clay soil 118 and 154, respectively; potatoes on poor sandy soil 243 in 1899 and 143 

 in 1900, on sandy soil (old field) 109 in 1900, and on high moor soil 128 in 1900 and 

 113 in 1901. 



The trials do not furnish decisive evidence as to the quantities of peat that should 



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