224 EXPERIMENT STATION EECORD. 



general appearance and growth of the pineapples. See also a previous note 

 (E. S. R., 21, p. 139). 



Deli soils, J. G. C. Vbiens (Meded. Deli-Proefstat. Medan, 4 (1910), No. 5, 

 pp. 155-111). — This is a continuation of the report on analyses of tobacco soils 

 previously noted (E. S. R., 20, p. 818). 



Analyses of rocks and minerals from the laboratory of the United States 

 Geological Survey, 1880 to 1908, F. AV. Clarke {V. S. Gcol. Sitnrn Bill. 1,19, 

 pp. XII+323). — The results of analyses of the large number of samples of rocks 

 and minerals which have been examined by the U. S. Geological Survey up to 

 January 1, 1909, are brought together in this bulletin " with such bibliographic 

 and petrographic data as seem to be necessary, in order to identify the speci- 

 mens and to facilitate chemical discussion." 



European practice and American theory concerning soil fertility, C. G. 

 Hopkins {Illinois Sta. Circ. 1J,2, pp. 31). — This circular consists of replies to a 

 letter addressed to ministers of agriculture of several European countries re- 

 garding causes of increase in crop production as well as correspondence with 

 James J. Hill regarding principles of soil fertility. 



The action of commercial fertilizers on marsh soils, P. Cornelius {Mitt. 

 Deut. Landw. GeselL, 24 {1909), No. 20, pp. 318-321; ahs. in Zcntbl. Agr. Chem., 

 39 {1910), No. 2, pp. 101, 102). — Experiments extending over a number of 

 years are reported showing the value of Thomas slag applied as a toi)-dressing 

 and supijlemented with nitrogenous manure as a fertilizer treatment for such 

 soils. The Thomas slag was espec-ially beneficial to red closer and beans. 

 The condition of the soil was also improved by the use of manure or compost. 



Plant food in Posen soils, M. Gerlach {Landw. Ccntbl. Poscn, 1909; abs. in 

 Zentbl. Agr. Clicm.. 39 {1910), No. 2, pp. 103-105). — Experiments on sandy soil 

 in several places in this province are reported showing that complete fertilizer 

 gave decided increases in yield in every case. Potash and nitrogen were the 

 single constituents showing the greatest effect. Phosphoric acid produced little 

 effect and the results with lime w^ere variable and inconclusive. 



Cooperative experiments ■with mineral fertilizers in the Ekaterinoslav 

 Government, V. V. Viner et al. {Dokladiii I ZliiirnaJiii t^ori/cshclianiyd Zcm- 

 skikh Aghronomov 1 SpetziaUstov po ^clskokhozijaistvennomii Opuitnomu Dyelu, 

 Sozvannaglio Ekatcrl noslavskoi Ghubcrnskl Zcmskoi Upravol 21-30 Apryelya, 

 1908. Ekaterinoslav, 1908, pp. 288; rev. in Zliiir. Opiiitn. Agron. {Riiss. Jour. Expt. 

 Landw.), 10 {1909), No. 6, pp. 813-815). — Aside from questions of local interest, 

 this report contains a summary of the results obtained by the Russian ex- 

 periment stations regarding the fertilizing of chernozem. 



Until very recently there was great difference of opinion as to the need of 

 fertilizers on chernozem soils. A correct solution of this question was first 

 given Ijy the Shatilov Experiment Station, which found that there are two 

 essential obstacles to the utilization of fertilizer by chernozem — a limited 

 supply of moisture and the possibility of a premature drying up of the crops 

 before complete maturity. The investigations at the Shatilov Experiment 

 Station prove that different fertilizing materials vary with regard to the use 

 of moisture. 



Those plants which suffer from poor mineral nutrition are most wasteful of 

 soil moisture. Abundant nutrition also, in the case of certain kinds of fer- 

 tilizers, induces luxuriant growth of the vegetative organs and promotes the 

 premature drying up of crops. This is most pronounced in case of nitrogen 

 fertilizers. Potash fertilizers do not affect the plants to any great extent in 

 this respect. Although the transpiration coefiicient, when potash was applied, 

 was somewhat lowered, crops which received potash fertilizer and w^ere reacted 

 upon by the latter had a tendency to be retarded in their development and 



