516 EXPEEIMENT STATION EECORD. 



as low in amount in most soils as the phosphates, will not, in all probability, 

 have the same general crop-producing power as the phosphates." 



A new case of unproductiveness in sugar cane soils, F. Ledeboee and A. E. 

 Beekhout (Arch. Suikerindus. Nederland. Indie, 22 (1914), ^^o. 18, pp. 653-672, 

 pi. 1; Meded. Proefstat. Java-Suikerindus., 4. {1914), ^0. 26, pp. 521-540, pi. 1; 

 ahs. in Internat. Inst. Agr. [Romel, Mo. Bui. Agr. Intel, and Plant Diseases, 5 

 (1914), No. 8, p. 1000; Internat. Sugar Jour., 16 (1914), No. 190, p. 486; Jour. 

 80c. Chem. Indus., S3 (1914), No. 21, p. 1066). — A case of unproductiveness in 

 certain so-called M'hite clay sugar cane soils in the Residency of Pelsalongan 

 in Java is reported. 



Chemical analyses show these soils to be relatively poor in nitrogen and 

 phosphoric acid but to contain relatively large percentages of sodium carbonate 

 (as much as 0.321 per cent), to which their unproductiveness is mainly attrib- 

 uted. Pot culture experiments with these soils using physiologically acid react- 

 ing fertilizers, lime, and stable manure in different combinations showed that 

 complete fertilization with lime and the addition of ammonium sulphate with 

 lime produced better cane crops than complete fertilization without lime or the 

 addition of ammonium sulphate and stable manure. 



While ammonium sulphate, potassium sulphate, and double superphosphate 

 apparently neutralized the extreme alkalinity of the soil and supplied the lack- 

 ing plant food, the chief benefit is attributed to the liming, owing to its favor- 

 able effect on the soil structure. 



The soils containing the carbonate puddle badly after rains. The addition 

 of 1.2 per cent of quick lime greatly improved the soil, and an application of 

 3.6 per cent of lime, while injuring vegetation, completely deflocculated the soil. 

 Applications of gypsum produced still better results. The subsoil water was 

 found to be very rich in sodium carbonate and is apparently the source of this 

 substance in the soil. 



A practical way to supply plant food to our soils, S. C. Jones (Ky. Geol. 

 Survey [Rpt.l, 4. sen, 1 (1913), pt. 2, pp. 1133-1138).— The results of pot culture 

 experiments carried on at the Kentucky Experiment Station on two soils, a red 

 loam and a gray fine sandy loam, are reviewed. They indicate " that for gen- 

 eral farm practice in which such crops as corn, wheat, oats, and tobacco are 

 grown, a profit may be obtained from an increase in the nitrogen and phos- 

 phorus content in the average soils of the State." The use of leguminous 

 green manures and rock phosphate is recommended as being the most practi- 

 cable method of supplying the needed plant food. 



The composition and value of farm manures, O. F. Jensen (Michigan Sta. 

 Circ. 25 (1915), pp. 3-7). — Data are compiled from various sources to show the 

 composition and value of farm manures. It is stated that sheep, hog, and hen 

 manures are more valuable than other manures because of the great proportions 

 of concentrates fed. 



Experiments with, barnyard manure at Darmstadt, P. Wagnee (Mitt. Deut. 

 Lan&w. Gesell., 30 (1915), Nos. 4, pp. 41-44,' 5, pp. 52-55). — Some of the more 

 important results of twelve years' experiments with manure and fertilizers are 

 summarized in this article, with special reference to the decline of yield with- 

 out manure, plant food removed by crops on manured and unmanured soil, the 

 possible increase and cost of increase of yield with commercial fertilizers, the 

 relation of plant food applied to the needs of the plant and requirements of 

 the soil, the amount and cost of the increased yield with barnyard manure, the 

 practical value of manure as compared with its fertilizing effect, and the ferti- 

 lizing action of the different constituents of manure. 



The sandy soil used in these experiments contained 0.077 per cent of nitrogen, 

 0.072 per cent of acid-soluble phosphoric acid, 0.214 per cent of total phosphoric 



