Sl6 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Soil zones and soil types of European and Asiatic Russia, K. Glinka 

 (Co)iipt. Rend. (Jonf. Inter nat. Ayrogeol. [BudutJcst], 1 (lUOi)), piK 9o-113 

 pi. 1). — The most important and extensive soil zones, viz, podzol, chernozem, 

 chestnut colored, and semidesert, and various modifications of these soils, are 

 described, with analyses of typical samples and notes on their distribution. 



Soil temperatures in the Black Eorest, Graubiinden, and Egypt, J. 

 KoENiGSBERGER, E. Thoma, and F. Leiek (Ber. Naiiirf. Gesell. Freiburg, 18 

 {1910), No. 1, pp. 23-J{2, pis. 3, fig. 1). — The general conclusion from the data 

 here summarized is that in dry sandy soils the temperature at the surface is 

 about 1.5 to 2° C. higher than that of the. air, but that this difference does not 

 exceed 1° in unforested soils in very humid climates. 



The nature of the color of black cotton soil, H. E. Annett {Elem. Dept. 

 Agr. India. Chcm. 8cr., 1 {1910), No. 9. pp. 1S5-203).— It is stated that the black 

 cotton soil of India covers at least 200,000 square miles and is the second in 

 importance of all Indian soils, since in addition to a variety of other crops by 

 far the largest proportion of the Indian cotton is grown on this soil. While 

 varying in color from deep black to a slaty gray the typical soil is deep black 

 and has an excessive tendency to crack during dry weather. 



Various investigations have previously been made with refei'euce to explaining 

 these properties, but without very definite results. The author is of the opin- 

 ion that the soil is formed in situ from trap rock. His investigations led to 

 the conclusion that " the black color of these soils is mainly due to the presence 

 of several per cent of titaniferous magnetite and of 1 to 2 per cent of soluble 

 humus. The mineral substance alone would not account for the deep black color. 

 Here it may be noted that the black color of certain Hawaiian soils is in [)art 

 attributed to mineral matter, in this ca.se manganese dioxid. The soils are 

 not rich in organic matter judged from the European standard, and organic 

 nitrogenous manures appear to give good results on them. The amount of clay 

 is exceptionally high and this accounts for the ' cracking' which takes place in 

 these soils during the hot dry weather." 



Observations on the influence of the autumn plowing of the soil under 

 summer cereals at the Poltava Experiment Station, S. T. Tretvakov 

 (Khozyaintvo, 1909, No. 1; ahs. in ZIrur. Opuitn. Agron. {Russ. Jour. E.vpt. 

 Landw.), 10 (1909), No. J,, pp. 5J,0, 5//i).— Observations during 11 years (ISSJr) to 

 1905) clearly show that in the region of the Poltava Experiment Station the 

 earlier the field is plowed in the fall for summer wheat the greater the yield 

 and that the earliest plowing in the fall may be only SJ in. deep provided the 

 field is later plowed again to a dei)th of about S in. 



Three years' exi)eriments with barley showed that it is influenced by the time 

 of the fall plowing in the same way as wheat, but in a greater degree, being 

 more benefited by early plowing than is wheat. Plowing in the fall and leaving 

 the harrowing until spring resulted in lower yields than where early harrowing 

 followed the plowing. 



Effect of steam sterilization on the water-soluble matter in soils, T. L. 

 Lyon and J. A. Bizzell (New York Cornell Sin. Bui. 275, pp. 129-155, figs. 

 j2). — This bulletin summarizes the results of experiments by other investi- 

 gators on the effect on soils of complete or partial sterilization by heat or vola- 

 tile antiseptics, and reports studies by the authors of the chemical changes 

 brought about by steaming garden soils in an autoclave under a i)ressure of 2 

 atmospheres for from 2 to 4 hours. 



" Both the steamed and the unsteamed soils were allowed to stand in the 

 greenhouse in pots witliout being planted to any crop, the surface being cov- 

 eretl with filter paper, and by the addition of distilled water the moisture 

 content was maintained at about 25 per cent of dry soil. No special i)recautiou 



