AIR WATER SOILS. 241 



stirring of the soil in filling the pots and in making pot experiments does not appear 

 to appreciably affect the bacteriological properties of the soil. The effect of manure 

 can not be explained by its content of nitrogen and organic matter, especially when 

 it is used on soils poor in lime. 



While the results of the experiments reported show that the abnormal character 

 i if the soils was not of a bacteriological nature, they show in other respects the impor- 

 tance of bacteriological studies of soils — for example, the generally close relation 

 between lime content and the activity of the soil bacteria. In an appendix the 

 author gives a large number of suggestions and directions for the improvement of 

 methods of bacteriological investigation of soils. 



Studies on the bacterial flora of cultivated soils with especial reference to 

 their behavior under fallow and when treated with carbon bisulphid, L. 

 IIii.tneh and K. Stormer (Arb. K. Gesundheitsamte, Biol. Abt., 3 {1903), No. 5, pp. 

 443-545, pis. 2, figs. 4). — This is a comprehensive report dealing with methods of 

 bacteriological examination of soils, the action of carbon bisulphid on the bacterial 

 life of soils, and bacteriological studies of fallow soils. The methods of investigation 

 which have been proposed by various investigators are critically reviewed and modi- 

 fications suggested by the authors' work are described. 



It is stated that the investigations show that carbon bisulphid exerts a selective 

 action on the micro-organisms of the soil, retarding the action of some and promot- 

 ing the activity of others. The action of the bisulphid was apparently beneficial in 

 delaying nitrification at a time when the nitrates could not be completely utilized by 

 the plants and were likely to be carried away in the drainage water. While the 

 results of studies on fallow soils were not considered conclusive, they show in gen- 

 eral that there was a decline in total number of organisms in the fallow plats, this 

 being due exclusively to disappearance of organisms which do not liquefy gelatin. 



Bacteriological and chemical studies of soils, Wohltmann, Fischer, and 

 Schneider {Jour. Landiv., 52 {1904), p. 97; abs. in Chem. Ztg., 28 {1904), No. 45, 

 Repert. No. 13, pp. 159, 160).— The beneficial effect of liming on bacterial activity is 

 discussed. 



The salt content of soils and its effect on the growth of cereals, V. Peglion 

 ( Site. Sper. Agr. Ital, 36 {1903), No. 8-9, pp. 684-694; abs. in Centbl. Agr. Chem., 33 

 {1904), No. 8, pp. 507, 508). — The results of examinations of 5 samples of soil with 

 reference to salt and chlorin contents are reported. These show proportions of salt 

 varying from 0.35 to 3.746 per cent, of chlorin from 0.028 to 1.17, the crop on the 

 soil containing the smaller percentages being normal but entirely failing on the soil 

 containing the larger percentages. 



Basal examinations of Danish uncultivated moors, A. Mentz ( Tidsskr. Landbr. 

 Hanteavl., 11, pp. 365-375). — The paper gives a plan of basal examinations of Danish 

 moor soils, according to which work has been in progress in western Jutland since 

 1901. The apparatus used in the examinations are described and the various phases 

 of the investigation briefly discussed. — f. w. woll. 



Geological-agronomic soil charts (Mitt. Deut. Landw. GeseU., 19 {1904), No. 31, 

 p. 204). — A brief note referring to the geological charts of Prussia and neighboring 

 states recently issued by the Royal Geological Bureau, calling attention especially to 

 the information which they contain regarding chemical composition and other 

 properties of the Prussian coast lands (sand dunes and forest soils). 



On the existence of alkaline rocks in Central Africa, L. Gen-til ( Compt. Rend. 

 Acad. Sci. Paris, 139 {1904), No. 6, pp. 413-415).— The results of examinations of 

 phonolites and rhyolites from the region of Tchad are briefly reported. 



Reclamation of Cape Cod sand dunes, J. M. Westgate (U. S. Dept. Agr., 

 Bureau of Plant Industry Bui. 65, pp. 38, pis. 6).— A report is given of the extensive 

 experiments which have been conducted in attempts to fix the sand dunes which 



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