AGRICULTURAL BOTANY. 33 



The synthetic production of ammonia, F. Haber {Ztschr. Angew. Chem., 

 27 (1914), No. 62, Aufsatzteil, pp. 473-^77).— The author briefly reviews his 

 investigations on electrical synthesis of ammonia. 



AGRICULTTJRAL BOTANY. 



A manual of bacteriology, H. S. Reed (Boston, New York, Chicago, and 

 London. 1914, pp. XII +119, i)ls. 2, figs. 46).— This book, in wbicb the author 

 has outlined many experiments calling for the simplest kind of equipment 

 which should acquaint the student with the fundamental facts concerning 

 bacteria, is intended for agricultural and general science students. In addition 

 to the outline for the study of bacteria a section has been added on the study 

 of important fermentations caused principally by fungi. 



Various appendixes are given in which are presented new as well as well- 

 known methods applicable to biological work and the descriptive chart of the 

 Society of American Bacteriologists. 



Classification of nodule bacteria, M. Klimmer and R. KRiJCEB (CentU. 

 Bakt. [etc.], 2. AM., 40 (1914), No. 11-lS, pp. 256-265).— Details are given 

 regarding the authors' study of nodule bacteria from 18 difCerent LeguminosfB, 

 which are claimed to fall into 9 sharply defined species. These include Bacillus 

 radicicola in Melilotus alba, Medicago lupulina, M. sativa and Trigonella foenum 

 grcEcum, also one form pertaining to each of the groups Lupinus perennis, L. 

 luteus, L. angnstifolius, and Ornitliopus sativus; Lotus uUginosus, Anthyllis 

 vulneraria, and Tetragonolohus purpureus; Vicia sativa and Pisum arvense; 

 V. faia; TrifoUum pratense; Phascolus vulgaris; Soja liispida; and OnoWycMs 

 sativa. 



A morphological and cultural study of some Azotohacter, D. H. Jones 

 (Proc. and Trans. Roy. Soc. Canada, 3. scr., 7 (1913), Sect. IV, pp. 43-55, pis. 

 5). — This is an account of studies made on six samples of soil at the Ontario 

 Agricultural College in November, 1910, these samples including cultivated 

 loam, sandy gravelly subsoil IS and 30 in. deep, old or new compost, and road 

 sand washings. These studies were made on flask and plate cultures regarding 

 temperature and atmospheric relations, pigment production, etc., results be- 

 ing detailed so far as obtained up to this time. 



The influence of calcium on' soil bacteria, F. Miller (Ztschr. Garungs- 

 physiol., 4 (1914), No. 3, pp. 194-206). — The author describes a series of studies 

 on the influence of calcium in varying proportions on soils. 



It was found that the addition of 0.3, 0.5, and 1 per cent of calcium oxid to 

 clayey soil first checked sharply and later increased markedly the development 

 numerically of bacteria (which was, however, entirely inhibited by 5 per cent 

 calcium oxid). Simultaneous application of calcium oxid and dextrose gave a 

 greater increase of bacteria, and also more quickly overcame the inhibition due 

 to heavy additions of calcium oxid. Different species of bacteria gave differ- 

 ent responses to the addition of calcium oxid. "When 0.1 per cent calcium oxid 

 was added to sterile earth eight days previous to inoculation it was found to ex- 

 ert a slight stimulatiA'e influence, while 0.5 yter cent calcium oxid lost quickly 

 its iuhibitive influence. Limy clay soil showed a decrease instead of an in- 

 crease of denitrificatiou after the addition of more than 0.05 per cent calcium 

 oxid, but red sandstone poor in lime showed a stimulative response in this 

 respect on the addition of from 0.01 to 0.06 per cent calcium oxid. 



Bacteria of frozen soil, H. J. Conn (New York State Sta. Tech. Bui. 35 

 (1914), pp. 20, figs. 4). — ^A report is given of experiments conducted to deter- 

 mine whether the increase in numbers of bacteria in frozen soils may be due 



