720 EXPEEIMENT STATION RECORD. 



experiments with oats, beans, and vetches, the Palmaer phosphate proved equal 

 to superphosphate and Thomas slag. 



The use of lime in Massachusetts agriculture, W. P. Brooks {Massachu- 

 setts Sta. Cii'c. 20, pp. 6). — This circular discusses briefly and in a popular way 

 how to determine what soils need liming, the kind of liiue to use. the relation of 

 lime to crops, methods of supplying lime, quantity of lime needed, mixing the 

 lime with the soil, and possible effects of liming. 



Note on the occurrence of manganese in soil, and its effect on grass, F. B. 

 Guthrie and L. Cohen (Agr. Gas. N, S. Wales, 21 (1910), No. 3, irp. 219-222; 

 al)s. in Jour. Chem. Soc. [London}, 98 (1910), No 571, II, p. -iH)- — Examinations 

 of the soil of bare patches which appeared in laud which had been seeded to 

 grass for 5 years showed the presence of 0.254 per cent of manganese oxid 

 (Mn203), while samples from other parts of the area showed no manganese. No 

 other differences in the samples were observed. The injury was apparently 

 greatest in winter when the plants were less vigorous. Failures of barley and 

 wheat from the same cause were also observed. The author is of the opinion 

 that the manganese in the soil is rendered toxic by oxidation. 



^Fertilizers, 1910, A. McGill (La 6. Inland Rev. Dept. Canada Bui. 213, pp. 

 29). — The results of inspection of IGl samples of fertilizers are reported in this 

 bulletin, with the text of the fertilizer law of Canada enacted in 1909 and com- 

 ments upon the quality of the fertilizers offered for sale in Canada. 



Fertilizers (Off. Yrarhook Aust.. 3 (1001-1909). pp. 4 U,-.', 17 ) .—This article 

 contains a brief statement of the main provisions of the various fertilizer laws of 

 the different States of the Commonwealth of Australia and statistics of imports, 

 exports, production, and use of fertilizers in the Commonwealth. The figures 

 show a rapid growth in the demand for fertilizers in recent years. 



AGRICULTURAL BOTANY. 



Handbook of agricultural bacteriolog'y, F. Lohnis (Handbuch der Land- 

 tvirtschaftUcJicn Baktcriologic. Berlin, 1910, pp. XII+907). — This is an elab- 

 orate treatise on the general principles and known facts of modern agricultural 

 bacteriology. 



The subject is discussed under 5 general heads as follows: (1) The occurrence 

 and activity of micro-organisms in foodstuffs (pp. 6-97), in which the various 

 changes produced by these organisms in foodstuffs are noted, such as the action of 

 bacteria in the preparation, heating, and firing of hay ; their action in silage ; the 

 fermentation of stai'chy, sugary, albuminous, and fatty foodstuffs ; their work 

 in digestion; and the influence of foods on the intestinal flora, etc. (2) The 

 •occurrence and activity of micro-organisms in the retting of flax and hemp, and 

 in the curing of tobacco (pp. 98-114). (3) The occurrence and activity of bac- 

 teria in milk, butter, and cheese (pp. 115-425). (4) The occurrence and activ- 

 ity of bacteria in stable manure (pp. 426-509), including discussions on nitrifi- 

 cation, denitrification, ammonification, and the handling of stable manures in 

 the stalls, in heaps, and in the field. (5) The activity of the micro-organisms 

 of the soil (pp. 510-790), including carbon dioxid, methan, and hydrogen forma- 

 tion; the humification of organic matter; the rotting of humus earths; the 

 various conditions of ammonia formation from vegetable debris, stable manure, 

 calcium cyanamid, and from other cyanogen compounds; nitrification; ammo- 

 nia, amid, and nitrate assimilation; the liberation of free nitrogen by ammo- 

 nia oxidation and by denitrification; the fixation of free nitrogen by symbiotic 

 and free living micro-organisms; the part that bacteria play in the decomposi- 

 tion of mineral substances, «inch as phosphates, alkaline carbonates, silicates, 

 iroH, and sulphur coajjjpunds; and the action of bacteria on the physical con- 

 dition of the soil, etc. 



