1919] 



SOILS — FERTILIZERS. 811 



are indicated in four diagrams showing (1) departure of temperature and 

 rainfall from the average for each month of the year, (2) the mean temperature 

 df the air and of the soil at depths of 1 ft. and 4 ft. during each month, (3) 



the relative frequency of winds from different directions, and (4) relation 

 between mean temperature of the air and its average daily variations, as well 

 as the mean temperature of the ground surface where it is covered with short 

 grass. 



Phenological observations on cereals in Bavaria in 1917, L. Hiltner (PruLt. 

 111. Pflanzenbau u. Schtltz, n. scr., 16 (1918), Nos. 3-4, pp. SJ f -48; 5-6, pp. 51,-69; 

 1-8, pp. 83-90). — Observations at a large number of places of varying elevation 

 and other conditions on dates of blooming and ripening are recorded, particu- 

 larly for rye and to a limited extent for winter wheat and summer barley. 

 The relation of the date of blooming to that of ripening is worked out for 

 different districts of Bavaria. 



Annual rainfall and mean temperature [of Ceylon], C. Duikhkrg (Ceylon 

 Agr. Soc. Year Hook, 1919-20, p. 2). — Observations at 27 places varying in alti- 

 tude from sea level to G,1S8 ft. are summarized. According to these observa- 

 tions the mean annual temperature of the island varies from 59.1° F. (at the 

 greatest elevation) to 82.8°, the rainfall from 38.05 to 199.3 in. (Nawalapitiya), 

 and rainy days from GG to 232. 



The ice-age question solved, R. A. Marriott (Set. Prog. [London], 13 (191!)), 

 No. 52, pp. 586-604, figs. 3). — This is an explanation of Drayson's theory (E. S. 

 It., 32, p. 417) and a statement of the evidence and arguments in its favor, 

 especially from the geological standpoint. 



SOILS— FERTILIZERS. 



A field study of the influence of organic matter upon the water-holding 

 capacity of a silt loam soil, F. J. Ai.way and J. It. Nellek (Jour. Agr. Re- 

 st <neh [U. 8.1, 16 (1919), No. 10, pp. 263-278, pi. 1, figs. 2).— This paper, a con- 

 tribution from the Minnesota Experiment Station, " reports a detailed study 

 of the moisture conditions found on two adjacent Minnesota plats, both of 

 which had a silt loam soil, very uniform in texture, but differing widely in 

 content of organic matter as the result of great differences in cultural treat- 

 ment. 



" During the cool, wet summer of 1915, when cultivated crops were grown, the 

 surface foot, and this alone, showed a very marked difference in the moisture 

 content, especially in the available portion, the soil the richer in organic 

 matter retaining the more water; but in the warmer and somewhat drier 

 summer of 1918, when winter rye was used, much smaller differences were 

 found. 



" It is concluded that in the case of a finer-textured soil, with a tine-textured 

 subsoil and a comparatively level surface, the differences in the water capacity 

 that may he caused by differences in manuring or in cultural operations exert 

 but little influence upon the productivity." 



A list of 12 references to literature cited is given. 



Nitrate and nitrite formation in moor soils, T. Abnd (Zcntbl. Agr. Chan.. .',7 

 (1918), No. 10-11, pp. 291-294; abs. in Clum. Ah*. 13 (1919), No. 5. pp. 489, 

 490).— Contrary to the opinion expressed by Ritter (E. S. R., 30, p. 32.~>) that 

 nitrate formation may occur in peat soils through chemical changes without 

 the presence of nitrifying organisms, the author states that none of the un- 

 inoculated soils examined by him showed any nitrite or nitrate formation, 

 regardless of whether or not calcium oxid, a nutritive ammoniacal or ammo- 



