SOILS FEETILIZEKS. 21 



The oxporiments were made on three series of one-flfth-acre blocks, a 3-year 

 rotation of coi-ii. wlieat. and clover being used on each series, but the series 

 were so arr.-umcd tlmf (nio w;is imt in corn, one in wheat, and one in clover each 

 year. 4 lie tiiiilizcr troalnients tested were cowpeas and phosi)horns: cowi)eas 

 and ]H>l:issii!iii ; i)hosphorns and potassium; cowpeas, phosphorus, and jiotas- 

 siuni : and cowjieas. phosphorus. ])otassiuiu. and liiue. Two plats in eneli series 

 received no treatment. 



The principal facts brought out by the experiments were that the soil is de- 

 ficient, first, in hunnis and nitrogen, second, in phosphates, third, in lime, and 

 fourth, in potash. Marked benefit was derived from the use of phosphates and 

 potash pai'ticularly. but good results were also obtained from the use of lime 

 and cowpeas in addition to phosphates and potash. 



Specific reconniicndations are given for the treatment of the soil to increase 

 its fertility. 



Soil experiments on the rolling- limestone upland of southwest Missouri, 

 M. F. ^Mii.LKK and ('. B. IIutciiison {Missouri .S7(/. Bill. 86. iip. l-J-'J). fif/s. 5). — 

 The soil on which these experiments were made " is of limestone origin and con- 

 tai)is varying amounts of fiint or chert, considerable quantities of which may be 

 found on the surface in large sections of this region. The soil is a reddish 

 brown to gray silt loam, averaging about 8 in. in depth and merging into a 

 yellowish red subsoil, the color and clay content of which gradually increase to 

 a depth of 20 in., where it is usually a bright red containing much soft chert in 

 small pieces. The soil i^ friable and loose and where the surface flint does not 

 interfere or where it has been picked off and in the areas where the surface rock 

 does not occur it is a very tractable soil. It washes considerably when exposed, 

 due to its texture and the rolling topography." 



The arrangement of plats, cropping, and fertilizer treatment was the same as 

 in the experiments noted above. 



The results of chemical analysis of the soil as well as of the fertilizer experi- 

 ments " indicate very strongly the lack of sufficient quantities of both nitrogen 

 and phosphorus. The need for lime is also indicated (although not so strongly), 

 while the apijlieation of potassium rarely pays on ordinary field crops. Since 

 the nitrogen of a soil is contained in the humus or vegetable matter, the lack of 

 nitrogen also means a lack of humus." 



Methods of handling these soils to increase their productiveness are discussed. 



Soil investigations in cooperation with the botanical department on Hazen 

 Bench, Truckee-Carson project, S. C. Dtnsmore (Nevada Sto. Bill. 66. pp. 

 .'iS-51, pi. 1). — Analyses and pot and field tests of an alkaline calcareous shale 

 composing the surface soil and of an almost pure sand extending to a groat 

 depth over a considerable area under the Truckee-Carson Irrigation Project are 

 reportetl. The soils were found to be very unproductive but were benefited by 

 the aiiplication of barnyard manure, thus indicating the need of hunnis. 



Studies of the needs of Rhode Island soils, H. J. Wheeler {Kliodc Islmid 

 Slu. Bui. 13'J. pp. So-lO.'i). — This is a compilation of material which has previ- 

 ously appeared in various other publications of the station, relating to soil 

 studies at Kingston; soil reactions as affecting potato scab; lack of lime or 

 basic substances in Rhode Island soils; cooperative experiments with lime in 

 different parts of the State; the influence of liming upon deficiencies of phos- 

 I)horic acid, upon the efficiency of nitrogenous fertilizers, and ujion the activity 

 of nitrifying organisms in the soil; methods of applying lime; lime as a libera- 

 tor of potash; effect of liming upon the humus of the soil; effect of different 

 phosphates on soils; relative deficiencies of potash, phosphoric acid, and nitro- 

 gen in Rhode Island soils; treatment of land for the production of hay; co- 

 operative exr)ei'inients to detei'mine the requirements of Rhode Island soils for 



