516 EXPERIMENT STATION BECOED. [Vol.35 



ered the vigor to a slight extent, their inflnence is not so marked as heat. These 

 results clearly show the intimate relationship between leguminous plants and 

 bacterial life in the soil." 



Variation in the growtli of clover on Mitchell field (A), J. W. White 

 (Pennsylvania Sta. Rpt. 1914, VP- 65, 66, pis. 2). — Studies of the lime require- 

 ment, the contents of acid-soluble calcium and magnesium oxids and phosphoric 

 acid, and the total nitrogen of a soil in a field where clover grew both well and 

 poorly showed that the irregular growth of the clover was due to the unequal 

 distributions of basic material which controls the reaction of the soil. 



" The growth of clover and the lime requirement are in close accord. No 

 other one factor bears such a close relation to the growth of clover. . . . 

 [Considering] the sum of the lime and magnesia, which forms the determining 

 factor so far as the reaction of the soil is concerned, the two bear relations 

 parallel to the lime requirement, though in an opposite direction. . . , 

 The limit of acidity may vary with the fertility of the soil, or possibly with a 

 difference in the kind of free acid present." 



Soil manag'ement problems (Wisconsin Sta. Bui. 268 (1916), pp. 26-S2, figs. 

 4)- — The general results obtained in experiments on the management of silt 

 loam, clay, and sandy soils, the effect of cultivation on soil acidity, the correc- 

 tion of soil acidity with limestone waste from lead and zinc mines, fixation of 

 nitrogen in acid soils, and nitrate formation in different soil types are briefly 

 noted, 



[Reclamation of alkali soils], J. EL Barnes (Rpt. Dept. Agr. Punjab, 1915, 

 App., pp. IV, VI-IX). — Studies of nitrogen fixation, ammonification, nitrifica- 

 tion, and carbon dioxid production in barren alkali soils at Narwala in the Pun- 

 jab district before and after mole drainage, cultivation, and flooding with canal 

 water are reported in tabular form, showing a marked increase in bacterial 

 activity following such treatment. 



[Soils and fertilizers], N. H. J. Millee (Ann. Rpts. Prog. Chem. [London}, 

 12 (1915), pp. 211-233). — This section summarizes the results of recent investi- 

 gations relating to soils and fertilizers. 



Effect of fertilizers on soil structure as indicated by the draft of a plow, 

 C. F. Noll (Pennsylvania Sta. Rpt. 1914, PP- 36-46, pis. 2). — Dynamometer 

 tests made on plats of clay and silt loam soil, treated since 1882 with com- 

 mercial fertilizers, lime, manure, lime and manure, and land plaster are re- 

 ported. 



" The plats are divided into four series or tiers of 36 one-eighth acre plats 

 each, on which are grown each year in rotation, in the order named, corn, oats, 

 wheat, and mixed clover and timothy. The dynamometer tests were begvm in 

 the fall of 1911 and were repeated each time a tier of plats was plowed. Three 

 series of tests were made in plowing sod, three in plowing corn stubble, and 

 three in plowing oat stubble. ... On each plat two tests were made at one 

 plowing near the ends of the plats and each was for a distance of about 50 ft." 



It was found that " the fertilizer treatment has had little influence on the 

 soil structure. The nitrate of soda applied at the rates of about 160, 320, and 

 480 lbs. per acre has not materially affected the physical properties of the soil. 

 The draft has been about the same on four manured plats as on complete com- 

 mercial fertilizer plats alternating with them. The presence of more organic 

 matter in some of the soils has slightly lightened their draft." 



Meadow fertilization experiments, M. Stein (Deut. Landw. Presse, 4S 

 (1916), No. 21, pp. 178-180). — Five years' experiments on loamy sand, loam, 

 humus sand, marshy sand, and shallow mountain meadow soils of seven differ- 

 ent localities of the Province of Saxony are reported. 



