120 EXPEKIMENT STATION RECORD. 



The farmer as an aquiculturist, J. Heyking {Dent. Laiidiv. Prcsne, 37 

 ilinO), No. ,i2, pp. 250, 251). — This is a brief discussion of tlie utilization of 

 small i)onds for the production of fish, including a classification of such ponds 

 witli reference to their fertilization to increase the growth of suitable food 

 I)lants for the fish. 



SOILS— FERTILIZERS. 



Agriculture in the coal regions of southwestern Pennsylvania, H. J. Wilder 

 (U. K. Drpf. Afjr. ycurhook liiO'.). pp. 32 l-.li2).— It is the purpose of this article 

 to call attention to the agricultural value and i)Ossibilities of certain little- 

 known districts in this portion of the State. 



Two drawbacks to agricultural development in the region are referred to, 

 namely, injury by smoke from coke ovens and the removal of coal near the 

 surface. Nevertheless, there are stated to be important soil areas in this 

 region well adapted to the production of a wide range of products fitted to 

 supi)ly the large demands of the local market. The different soil types which 

 occur and their crop adaptations are described. 



Observations of soils of the colony of Eritrea, P. Principi (Gioi: Gcol. 

 Prat., S (1910), No. 1-2, pp. 1-34)- — The results are reported of mechanical 

 Hthological. chemical, and physical examinations of 3 sami)les of soil from each 

 of 30 localities in Eritrea, an East African colony belonging to Italy. The 

 soils examined are derived from crystalline schists, granitic rocks, quartz- 

 bearing porphyries, and basalts. In the author's opinion the soils derived 

 from basalts are the most important from an agricultural point of view. 



Eig'ht years' soil investig'ation in southern Illinois, C. G. Hopkins, J. H. 

 I'ETTiT, and J. E. Readhimer (lUinoisi 8ta. Circ. 122, rev., pp. .'/). — In this 

 i-evised edition of this circular (E. S. R.. 20, p. 428) results from 1909 have 

 been added. 



Character and treatment of swamp or muck soils, W. P. Gamble and A. E. 

 Slater (Ontario Dept. Agr. Bui. 118, pp. SO, figs. 13). — This is a summary of 

 general information on this subject as well as of the results* of investigations 

 which have been carried on by the authors for a number of years on certain 

 typical swamp or muck soils of Ontario. 



The facts brought out by this inquiry upon which special emphasis is laid 

 are that swamp soils are as a rule very fertile when properly drained and 

 cultivated. The soils experimented with were usually more or less deficient 

 in potash and phosphoric acid and responded readily to applications of com- 

 mercial fertilizers. Thorough drainage is the first step necessary in the 

 reclamation of these soils. 



On account of the absence of nitrifying organisms and the consequent slow 

 conversion of the inert nitrogen into assimilable form the application of barn- 

 yard manure or garden loam with frequent cultivation was found to be very 

 beneficial. Liming was found to be an effective corrective for acidity due to 

 the presence of an excess of organic acids. Injurious effects resulting from 

 mineral poisons, such as the lower oxids of iron, were removed by methods 

 of treatment which brought about thorough aeration of the soil. The applica- 

 tion of potash and phosphoric acid was found to reduce the lodging of grain 

 and produce better filled heads. 



[Sug-ar cane soils], G. R. Patten (Ann. Rpt. Bur. Sugar Expt. Stas. [Queens- 

 land], 1909, pp. .'f-6). — The results of chemical analyses and of determinations 

 of the water capacity of composite samples of soils from the sugar districts of 

 Queensland are reported. As a result of a comparison of the solvent action of 

 1 per cent solutions of aspartic, acetic, citric, and hydrochloric acids the author 



