512 " EXPERIMENT STATION RECOED, 



miles in southern New York, comprising twenty-seven counties, tlie topography, 

 of which varies from hilly to mountainous. 



The soils are mainly of glacial and alluvial origin. Four series of glacial 

 soils are discussed, of which the Volusia series predominates outside of the 

 Catskill region. Of the water deposited types the valley terrace and first 

 bottom soils are discussed. It is stated that the poorer of these soils need 

 liming, proper subsoil drainage, and the addition of organic matter. 



Soils from the East Africa Protectorate (Bui. Imp. Inst. [So. Kensington], 

 12 {1914), No. 4, pp. 515-540). — Mechanical and chemical analyses of samples 

 of 24 soils from the land bordering the Juba River in East Africa are re- 

 ported. 



Most of the soils were of a clayey character, had good moisture retaining 

 powers, and contained adequate quantities of calcium carbonate. The content 

 of mineral plant food constituents is considered adequate in all cases except 

 one, but nitrogen deficiencies occurred in certain cases. All the soils contained 

 alkaline carbonates and also sodium chlorid and sulphates in smaller quan- 

 tities. Calcium sulphate sometimes accompanied sodium carbonate. 



On rubber soils, E. C. J. MoHR_(In International RuMer Congress met Tentoonr 

 stelling. Batuvia, Sept., 1914, Ruhher Recueil, Amsterdam: J.H. deBussy [1915], 

 pp. 167-170). — The principal characteristics of soils of various rubber-producing 

 regions, but especially those of the east coast of Sumatra, are described. No 

 attempt is made to define sharply types of soil best suited to rubber trees, but 

 it is pointed out that such soils should, as a rule, have high water holding, 

 percolation, and capillary capacities, insuring an abundant water supply to 

 the plant. The larger proportion of the rubber (and tobacco) soils of Sumatra 

 are sandy and vary widely in chemical composition. 



The acidity of Malayan soils, M. Bareowcliff (Agr. Bui. Fed. Malay States, 

 3 {1914), No. 2, pp. 45-50). — Estimations of the lime requirements of Malayan 

 soils taken over extensive areas, using the method of Bizzell and Lyon 

 (E, S. B,., 30, p. 422) with a slight modification, showed that inland undulating 

 land has an acidity corresponding to 2 to 3 tons of lime per acre, while the 

 clays and peaty clays found near the west coast require from 5 to 6i tons 

 to produce neutrality. These results are taken to indicate that liming treat- 

 ment as hitherto advocated is totally inadequate. " The figures . . . show 

 plainly the efficiency of limestone as a neutralizing agent and its employment 

 in preference to lime can be unhesitatingly recommended." 



It is further noted that the soils on which the best coconut growth in the 

 country is obtained have an acidity equivalent approximately to 6 tons of lime 

 per acre-foot. 



Reference is made to previous work by Hutchinson and MacLennan ( B. S. R., 

 32, p. 32). 



The inundation of the valley of the Yser, Baeois {Bui. Soc. Nat. Agr. 

 France, 15 {1915), No. 2, pp. 114-181).— It is thought that the inundation of the 

 valley of the Yser as a war measure will result in a compacting of the agri- 

 cultural soils, a diminution of aeration, and a deposit of marine salts in the 

 surface soils. 



Agricultural chemistry and vegetable physiology, N. H. J. Miller {Ann. 

 Rpts. Prog. Chem. [London], 11 {1914), pp. 213-231). — Investigations during 

 1914 relating mainly to soils and plant nutrition are reviewed as usual. It is 

 stated that " although for the year 1914 no results of exceptional importance 

 have to be recorded, a number of investigations of considerable interest relat- 

 ing to soils and plant nutrition have been carried out. The soil problems 

 which have received most attention are those connected with partial steriliza- 

 tion, absorption of bases, acidity, and the production and movements of nitrates 



