1917] SOILS FERTILIZEES. 23 



of Quebec are reported and discussed. Acidity was evident in about three- 

 fourtlis of the samples. 



Stable manure, J. C. Temple {Georgia Sta. Kpt. 1916, p. 11). — Experiments 

 on the influence of stable manure on soil bacteria showed that the increase of 

 bacteria in soils receiving sterilized stable manure and finely cut green oats 

 was greater than in soil receiving unsterilized manure. " The character of the 

 soil's microflora is sometimes greatly changed by the addition of these organic 

 materials. Two soils have been studied in which Actinomyces made up from 

 79 to 90 per cent of the colonies developing on agar plates. The addition of 

 manure caused a big increa.se in number of the colonies, but the increase was 

 due entirely to the multiplication of the true bacteria. The bacterial com- 

 plexes from the soil receiving the unsterilized manure showed much the highest 

 cellulose-dissolving power." 



The absoi-ption and washing out of nitrogen from fertilization with 

 nitrates, O. H, van Harrevet.d-Lako (Arch. Suikerindvs. Nederland. Indie, 24 

 (1916), No. 7, pp. 207-21S; Meded. Proefstat. Javn-Suikerindus., 6 (1916), No. 

 S, pp. 45-51). — This is a review of work by otliers, the results of which are 

 taken to indicate that nitrates are readily leached out of very pervious soils, 

 and that in tropical soils especially ammonia fertilizers are preferable. See 

 also a previous note by the author (E. S. R., 36, p. 219). 



Lime nitrogen as a fertilizer, C J. Mrr.o (Arch. Suikerindus. Nederland. 

 Indie, 24 (1916), Nos. 19, pp. 709-743, pi. 1, fig. 1; 20, pp. 749-796) .—This article 

 deals with the physical and chemical properties of lime nitrogen and reports 

 the general results of experiments on its use as a nitrogenous fertilizer on 

 Java sugar-cane soils. A list of 49 references to literature on the subject is 

 appended. 



Residual effect of phosphatic manures on green crops in the year following 

 that of application (Indian Tea Assoc., Set. Dept. Quart. Jour., No. 3 (1916), 

 pp. 95-102). — Continuing previous experiments (E. S. R., 35, p. 428) on com- 

 parative tests of superphosphate, bones, phosphatic slag, and a proprietary 

 basic phosphate with green crops, including sunn hemp, cowpeas, Sesbania 

 aculeata, and Tephrosia Candida, it was observed that the different phosphates 

 showed the same order of relative efliciency in the second year as in the first 

 after application, the differences, however, being much less marked. The 

 results obtained with the superphosphate were so much better than with the 

 other phosphates tested that the conclusion is reached that " the use of the 

 less rapidly available forms of phosphate is only justified if these forms are 

 very much cheaper per unit of phosphoric acid." 



Influence of fertilizers and soil amendnaents on soil acidity, J. J. Skinner 

 and J. H. Beattie (Jour. Amer. Soc. Agron., 9 (1917), No. 1, pp. 25-35). — "In 

 an experiment growing wheat, rye, clover, timothy, corn, cowpeas, and potatoes, 

 conducted on a heavy silty clay loam at Arlington, Va., calcium sulphate, fer- 

 rous sulphate, manganese sulphate, potassium sulphate, and potassium sulphid 

 added singly to the soil annually for five years increased its acidity. 



" Magnesium carbonate decreased the acidity of the soil. Soil fertilized with 

 sodium nitrate was less acid than the untreated soil or soil fertilized with acid 

 phosphate or potassium sulphate. Acid phosphate fertilization increased the 

 acidity of the soil, but not as much so as potassium sulphate. 



" Organic materials affected the soil differently as to causing acidity. Starch 

 caused increased acidity ; stable manure slightly increased acidity, which was 

 still greater with manure leached of its soluble organic and inorganic sub- 

 stances. The leachings from manure produced less acidity than the untreated 

 soil and less than the whole manure or leached manure. The nature of the 

 102477"— 17 3 



