WATER SOILS. 



29 



Potash, of the soil: Its assimilability and the influence of lime on its cir- 

 culation, C. Schreiber (La poiasse du sol: SonaisorbabUUi. — Influence dt la chaux 

 mr sa mise en circulation. Brussels: Imp. V Auxiliaire Bibliographique, 1903, pp. 32, 

 figs. 10). — Pot experiments extending over a number of years (1898-1901) with oats 

 on a variety of soils, with and without potash and other fertilizers, are reported. The 

 comparative results are shown in the following table: 



Relative decline in yield of oats with different elements larking in fertilizers. 



This table shows that the assimilable potash of the soil was rapidly exhausted by 

 the oat plants. 



The application of potash salts increased the yield of both straw and grain. Other 

 experiments are reported which indicate that lime, or better, gypsum has a marked 

 though limited effect in setting free the potash of the soil. 



Studies on the improvement of marsh soils ( Wisconsin Sta. Rpt. 1903, pp. 

 333-338). — A summary of investigations during the 10 years ending with 1903. The 

 following articles are included: The Treatment of Swamp or Humus Soil, by F. H. 

 King (E. S. R., 9, p. 536; 10, p. 728); The Treatment of Swamp or Humus Soil, by 

 F. H. King and J. A. Jeffery (E. S. R., 12, pp. 32, 36); The Influence of Potash 

 Salts on Black Marsh Soils, by F. H. King and A. R. Whitson (E. S. R., 13, p. 27); 

 Studies on Black Marsh Soil, by F. H. King and A. R. Whitson (E. S. R., 13, p. 

 931); Experiments on Black Marsh Soil, by A. R, Whitson (E. S. R., 14, p. 949). 



Report on the work of the Swedish Moor Culture Association, 1902 ( Svenska 

 Mosskulturfor. Tidskr., 17 (1903), No. 5, pp. 333-347). — The report describes the activ- 

 ities of the association during the year 1902. These come mainly under two head- 

 ings, investigations of a chemical or botanical nature and experiments in crop pro- 

 duction on moor soils, conducted partly on the experiment farms at Flahult and 

 Jonkoping, partly on farms in different parts of the country. — f. w. woll. 



Soil temperatures for the year 1902, J. E. Boxebright (Idaho Sta. Rpt. 1903, 

 pp. 31, 32). — This is a weekly summary of observations on the temperature of the 

 soil at depths of 1, 3, 6, and 9 in., and 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 ft. 



Observations on soil temperatures during the years 1896-1899 at Musti- 

 ala Agricultural and Dairy Institute, T. Caxnelix and L. Stexback (Landtbr. 

 Styr. Meddel, 1903, No. 44, pp. 99-159). 



Formation of nitrous acid in the air confined in arable soil. Nitrification 

 by chemical processes in the soil, F. Sestixi ( Orosi, 27 (1904), pp- 1-9; abs. in June, 

 t'heui. Soc. [London], 86 (1904), No. 499, II, p. 363).— The author finds that the 

 formation of nitrous acid in the soil by the oxidizing action of ferric hvdroxid is due 

 to oxidation of ammonia, and not of nitrogen of the air as claimed by Bonnema 

 (E. S. R., 14, p. 850). 



The formation of nitric acid and nitrification as a chemical process in 

 cultivated soils, F. Sestini (Landw. Vers. Stat., 60 (1904), No. 1-2, pp. 103-112). — 

 See above. 



Recent progress in soil bacteriology, J. Behrexs (Mil. Deut. Landw. Gesell., 

 19 (1904), No. 26, pp. 181-184). — A brief general summary of investigations. 



