424 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol.40 



The annual loss of limestone from the soil depended upon a number of factors, 

 among which were the kind, form, and amount of lime added. The data pre- 

 sented are held to indicate that the annual loss of limestone is not so large 

 as is generally assumed, the average loss for all determinations with the surface 

 20 in. of soil being 760 lbs. per acre from the Newton field and 542 lbs. from the 

 Odin field. A study of the total calcium is said to indicate that the actual loss 

 of bases may have been less than is shown by these figures, which are based 

 upon the carbon dioxid and acidity determinations. 



" It is very evident from the data presented that chemical analysis may be 

 depended upon to measure the acidity in the soil, the reduction in acidity due to 

 the action of limestone applied, and also to find the limestone still remaining 

 in the soil, whether from applications made or from a supply native to the 

 soil." 



Commercial fertilizers, 1918, C. D. Woods (Maine Sta. Off. Insp. 90 (1918), 

 pp. 101-120). — This reports the results of actual and guarantied analyses of 295 

 samples of fertilizers and fertilizing materials collected during 1918. 



AGRICULTURAL BOTANY. 



Atmospheric electricity as an environmental factor, I. JOboenbek and W. 

 Stiles (Jour. Ecology, 5 (1917), No. 8-.',. pp. 208-209) .—This is largely a dis- 

 cussion of a paper by Rose Stoppel, not yel available, in which she is said to 

 have shown that atmospheric electricity may have a profound influence on 

 certain vital processes in the plant. This lias led to the inference that atmos- 

 pheric electricity is to be reckoned with as one of the environmental factors 

 affecting the life of the plant. 



On the ecology of the vegetation of Breckland. — V, Observations relating 

 to competition between plants, E. P. FABBOW (Jow. Ecology, 5 (1917). No. 8-4, 

 pp. 155-172, pi. 1, fi<js. 2). — This article deals with cases Illustrating the oper- 

 ation of competition between plants in mixed associations, competition between 

 pure plant associations, destruction of competitors (by means of fallen dead 

 fronds, as in case of Pterin aquilina), ami a biological harrier to rhizome spread 

 of Carer armaria (caused by a layer of dead fallen leaves from a single row 

 of pines). 



On competition between Galium saxatile (G. hercynicum) and G. sylvestre 

 (G. asperum) on different types of soil, A. G. Tansi.ky (Jnur. Ecology, 5 

 (1917), No. 8-4, pp. 173-179).— Studies carried out on G. saxatile and G. tylr 

 vestre (the former preferring light siliceous soils, the latter limestone hills and 

 pastures) are described in some detail for mixed sowings made on a calcareous 

 garden soil of medium texture, a noncalcareous garden loam, a strongly acid 

 peat, and a natural sandy woodland loam. 



The calcifupuis spedes G. saxatile is heavily handicapped, especially in the 

 seedling stage, on calcareous soils, being unable to compete with G. sylvestre, 

 which is more severely handicapped and subordinated on acid peat, thougb 

 both species can establish themselves and grow for several years on either soil 

 if the handicap of competition with other vegetation is not too severe. On 

 sandy loam from a healthy woodland both species germinate freely, and both 

 growing better during the first year than thereafter, the relations between the 

 two species resembling those obtaining on peaty soil. 



Plant life on saline soils, T. H. Kearney (Jour. Wash. Aead. Sci.. 8 (1918), 

 No. 5, pp. 109-125). — Following a discussion of the physiology of the halo- 

 phytes, the author considers the question of the role, if any. played by sodium in 

 plant nutrition, discussing the possible significance of such a relation in view 



