1026 EXPEKIMENT STATION RECORD. 



than in the silt or loam soil. The percentage of alkali in the soils is very variaV)le, 

 but generally high. This alkali is of the "white" type, that is, that in which the 

 relatively innocuous sulphates predominate. "Carbonate of soda is quite subordi- 

 nate, because of the presence of gyjisum throughout the materials. Common salt is 

 rather abundant near the surface, but only in small supply below the first 3 ft., until 

 a depth of 20 ft. is reached. Nitrates appear to be present throughout, to an extent 

 varying from 1,000 to 1,800 lbs. per acre (0.025 to 0.044 per cent) in 4 ft. depth; 

 increasing from the surface downward, contrary to the usual rule." While it appears 

 that the clay soils are more heavily impregnated with alkali than the silt or loam 

 soils it would seem that the clayey, i)lastic, and impervious character of the former 

 is a more serious obstacle to their utilization for agricultural i)uri)oses than the alkali 

 salts. 



Analyses of water of the Colorado Kiver^ Blue and Cameron lakeSj and of a well 

 at Cameron Lake, with reference to their use in irrigation, are reported. The results 

 show that the composition of the Colorado River water is quite variable at different 

 periods of the same season and in different seasons and that while it "could be used 

 with impunity upon the silts, it Avould but increase the extremely undesirable saline 

 conditions of the clay soils of the region." Methods of irrigating alkali lands so 

 that evaporation from the surface is reduced to a minimum are discussed and the 

 need of a thorougli system of drainage is explained. The climatic conditions and 

 the plant growth of the region are described and a list of crops adapted to alkali 

 soils with their limits of tolerani;e for alkali is given. 



Willis and Huntsville tobacco soils, II. H. Hakkington and P. 8 Tilson (Texas 

 Sta. Bid. 61, pi>. 14, pls- ~ )• — Chemical and mechanical analyses of 18 samples of soil 

 from Willis and 6 from Huntsville are reported, with analyses of 6 samples of Con- 

 necticut Valley tobacco soils and a discussion of the adaptability of the Texas soils to 

 the growth of filler and wrapper tobacco. Recommendations are given regarding 

 the fertilizers required, based upon analyses of the ash of 4 samples each of the 

 tobacco leaf grown in the 2 localities. Determinations of nicotin showed that the 

 percentage in the Willis and Iluntsvill 3 toV)accos varied from 1.75 in the wrapper to 

 2.5 in the filler. The conclusion was reached that the soils of Willis are admirably 

 adapted to the growth of high-grade filler or wrapper, the growth of filler per- 

 haps being more likely to be profital)le under present conditions than the growth of 

 wrapper tobacco. " L.-t with greater outlay of capital, and especially with the intro- 

 duction of shade growth, and with the application of irrigation, a most satisfactory 

 wrapper can be grown." 



The soil and the agricultural conditions of Prussia, A. INIkitzen and F. Gkoss- 

 MANN (Dcr Bodtii tni'l die laadirlrlhsehaflliclieii, ]'erJud(nl!<se des Preussichen Slaates. 

 Berlin: Paul Pareij, 1901, vol. 6", pp. XYIII^656-\'52H). — The sixth annual report 

 on the comprehensive survey of the soil and agricultural conditions of Prussia, pub- 

 lished under the auspices of the Minister of Agriculture, Domains, and Forests. It 

 deals with the history of the people and the economic phases of their agriculture. 



Chemical exploration of Belgium soils, A. Peter.mann [Bui. Inst. Chim. et 

 Bad. Gemhloux, 1001, No. 71, pp. 36). — Mechanical and chemical analyses of 15 sam- 

 ples by the author's well-known methods, are reported. 



Analyses of soils, Paarl and Worcester Divisions, C. F. Juritz [Agr. Jour. 

 Caj)e Good Hope, 20 {190.:!), Na 6, pp. 351-363). — This is a report on work in con- 

 tinuation of the soil survey of the province (E. S. P., 13, j). 119), and includes results 

 of analyses of 44 samples of soils. The average amounts of fertilizing constituents in 

 these soils were, for the Paarl Division, lime 0.03 per cent, potash 0.041, phosphoric 

 acid 0.044, nitrogen 0.1; for the Worcester Division, limeO.136 percent, potash 0.022, 

 nitrogen 0.124. These results show that the Paarl soils are "rather poor in lime, 

 potash, and phosphoric acid, while the average amount of nitrogen they contain is 

 about normal." The Worcester soils, on the other hand, contain "as a rule a fair 

 amount of lime, potash, and phosphoric acid, and also a good quantity of nitrogen." 



