SOILS FERTILIZERS. 325 



cent nitrogen, 2.4 per cent mineral matter, 0.19 per cent lime, and 0.04 per 

 cent phosphoric acid, while the lower layer contains about 0.9 per cent nitro- 

 gen, 1.97 per cent mineral matter, 0.29 per cent lime, and 0.05 per cent phosphoric 

 acid. 



The surface soil is somewhat lower in plant food content than the average 

 northwest German high moor soil, but it is thought that with proper cultural 

 treatment it is fit for farming purposes. 



Management of marsh soils (Wisconsin Sta. Bui. 250 {1915), pp. 12-H). — 

 Cooperative tests reported by H. Ullsperger demonstrate the importance of the 

 use of commercial fertilizers containing potassium and phosphorus on marsh 

 soils. 



The results of technical moor utilization, G. Keppeler {Arh. Lab. Tech. 

 Moorvericcrt., 1 (191^), No. 1, pp. III-XIII). — ^The author briefly discusses the 

 agricultural development of peat moors and the use of peat for fuel and for the 

 manufacture of illuminating gas and ammonia. 



Changes in a sterile sand by cropping, E. Blanck {Jour. Landw., 62 (1914), 

 No. 2, pp. 12D-lJiO). — In continuation of work along the same general lines 

 (E. S. R., 31, p. 621), three years' pot experiments were conducted with oats and 

 peas, using a sterile quartz sand from the Oder River to determine the extent 

 to which the plant food in the sand is set free by the roots of the plants. 



It was found that the small stock of plant food in the sand was readily 

 yielded to plants and the sand rapidly impoverished in plant food, being by the 

 fourth year without fertilization completely unfit for plant growth. The im- 

 poverishment in plant food, especially lime and magnesia, due to culture of peas 

 was much more marked than that due to culture of oats, thus verifying the 

 theory that leguminous plants possess greater i^ower for setting free plant food 

 than gramineous plants. The peas as a -first crop favorably influenced the oats 

 as a second crop, due to the great power of the former for setting free plant 

 food. The reverse was not true. 



It was also found that in cases of potash deficiency sodium was effective as a 

 substitute. 



Management of sandy soils {Wisconsin ^ta. Bui. 250 {1915), pp. 8-11, figs. 

 3). — In a description of experiments by H. Ullsperger on the management of 

 sandy soils it is stated that the incorporation of humus in the soil by a system 

 of plowing under the second crop of clover has for two years greatly increased 

 the water-holding capacity of the soil. It is believed that the use of commer- 

 cial fertilizers in combination with green manuring crops will permit the profit- 

 able working of sandy soils when crops adapted to such soils are grown. 



Farm manures, J. O. Beavers {Indiana Sta. Circ. 49 {1915). jyp. 20, figs. 3). — ■ 

 " This publication is prepared for the puipose of acquainting farmers with the 

 value and the best methods of conserving and using farm manures." 



Farm manure, G. A. Olson {Washington Sta. Popular Bui. 90 {1915), pp. 8). — 

 This gives a popular discussion of the value of farm manure, methods of pre- 

 serving it, and its proper application, with particular reference to farming 

 conditions in the State of Washington. 



Data from various sources are reviewed to show the favo/able effects of 

 using manure in the State, particularly when consisting of a mixture of solid 

 and liquid manure. 



Chemical preservation of manure, P. A. Maignen {Ahs. in Science, n. ser., 

 41 {1915), No. 1054, P- 405). — This is a brief note on a paper presented at the 

 recent Philadelphia meeting of the American Association for the Advancement 

 of Science, in which a plea was made for the better conservation of the valu- 

 able fertilizing matter which is now largely going to waste as sewage. 



