FERTILIZERS. 653 



determining the absorptive capacity, decreased, (2) The degree of absorption of 

 ammonia by the soils was in direct correspondence with their contents of hygroscopic 

 moisture. (3) The absorption of phosphoric acid depended also upon the amount 

 of iron oxid and alumina in the soil, and also on the amount of phosphoric acid in 

 the soil. (4) The degree of absorption of lime depended closely upon the amounl of 

 carbonates in the soil. (5) The absorptive capacity of the soils depended, other 

 things being equal, on their mechanical composition, the larger the proportion of 

 soil particles smaller than 0.01 mm. in diameter the greater its absorptive capacity. — 



P. FIREMAN. 



Influence of the structure of the soil on the yield of oats and the absorp- 

 tion by the latter of nitrogen and phosphoric acid, S. Bogushevski (Uchen. 

 Zapiski Yuriev Univ., 1904, No. 1; abs. in Zhur. Opuitn. Agron. \_Russ. .lour. Expt. 

 Landw.~\, 5 (1904), No. 3, pp. 375, 376). — The author experimented during 2 years 

 with soil particles of two different sizes, viz, those which passed through a sieve with 

 holes 2 mm. in diameter and those between 2 and 6 mm. in diameter. The results 

 with the two grades of particles differed hut slightly. — p. fireman. 



Studies on the distribution of lime in the soils of Vaudois vineyards, 

 J. Dufour and H. Faes (Chron. Agr. Canton Vaud, 16 (1903), Nos. 13, pp. 3S1-387; 

 19, pp. 520-534; M, pp. 572-579; 17 (1904), -Vox. 1, pp. 15-21; 2, pp. 50-57; 14, pp. 

 420-429; 15, pp. 434-438). — This is a continuation of studies previously reported (E. 

 S. R., 14, p. 849), and records results of analyses of 482 samples of soil from the dis- 

 trict of Aigle. Of these samples 21(5 contained from to 25 per cent of lime (carbon- 

 ate), 188 over 25 per cent. The maximum percentage observed was 53. 



Loess and its main types, P. I. Krishtafovich (Zap. Novo-Alexandri Inst. Selsk. 

 Kim:, i I/yesov., 15 (1902), No. 3, pp. 1-293; abs. in Zhur. Opuitn. Agron. [Russ. 

 Jour. Expt. Landw.~\, 5 (1904), No. 4, pp. 531-535). 



Origin of the loess, P. Armashevski (Trudui Ocogr. Com., 15 (1903), No. 1; abs. 

 in Zhur. Opuitn. Agron. [Russ. Jour. Expt. Landw.~\, 5 (1904), No. 4, pp. 529, 530). — 

 The author holds the "diluvial" theory of the origin of the Russian loess. 



History of the steppes near the Black Sea from the end of the tertiary 

 period, N. Sokolov (Pochvovyedenie \_Pcdologie], 6 (1904), No. 2, pp. 105-124). 



Some geobotanical observations on the North Ural, N. Vissotski (Pochvovy- 

 edenie [Pidologie], 6 I 1904), No. 2, pp. 153-155). — During a geological excursion on 

 the North Ural Mountains the author observed the existence of a very strict paral- 

 lelism between the petrographic character of the soil and the character of the forest 

 growth. < >n olivin rocks there are usually found pine forests, in the regions of meta- 

 morphic schists fir forests, while intermediate rocks (peridotite, gabbro) were covered 

 by mixed wood. 



Bibliography and cartography of West Virginia, S. B. Brown ( West Virginia 

 (,'inl. Surrey Bui. 1, pp. 85, map I). — The bibliography includes works on the geology 

 and natural resources of West Virginia, issued during the period from 1764 to 1901, 

 and the cartography covers the period from 1737 to 1901. 



FERTILIZERS. 



Bacteria of horse manure and their role in the decomposition of the 

 manure, Severin ( Vyestnik Imp. Russ. Obsh. Akklim. Zhiv. i Past., No. 11, pp. 15, 



16; abs. in Zhur. Opuitn. Agron. [Russ. Jour. Expt. Landw."], 5 (1904), No. 3, j>. 

 413). — An account is given of experiments supplementing those previously reported 

 (E. S. R., 15, p. L062). 



In the first place, the author studied the influence of the method of sterilization 

 on the subsequent progress of the ammoniacal fermentation of the urine in the mass 

 of manure. One portion of the urine was sterilized, together with the manure, in an 



