SOILS — FERTILIZERS. 317 



Vers. Stat., 78 (1912), No. 5-6, pp. S67-374; abs. in Jour. Chem. Soc. [London], 

 104 (1913). No. 60Jf, I, p. 238).— In an effort to obtain a satisfactory nitrogen 

 balance in the experimental soils at Breslau 5 samples of soil were taken on 

 each of 6 plats, 9 square meters each, which had given similar yields of crops 

 during two years. Ten or 12 nitrogen determinations were made in each 

 sample. An experimental error corresponding to from 25 to over 30 kg. of 

 nitrogen per hectare to a depth of 25 cm. occurred with this method of 

 examination. 



The inflaence of alfalfa and of timothy on production of nitrates in soils, 

 T. L. Lyon and J. A. Bizzell (Centbl. Bakt. [etc.], 2. AM., 37 (1913), No. 7-10, 

 pp. 161-167).— The rate of nitrification in fallow soils and those which had 

 been continuously in alfalfa and timothy for several years was studied by 

 means of incubation experiments with dried blood with and without the addi- 

 tion of lime. 



The results " showed the alfalfa soil to nitrify more rapidly than the timothy 

 soil, both in the soil on which the crops had been grown continuously and in 

 that from which they had been removed and the soil kept bare for two seasons. 

 That this was due to the direct effects of the plant on the nitrate production 

 and not to the greater quantity of nitrogen which the plants stored in the soil 

 is shown by the fact that the rate of nitrate formation was in the order named 

 when both soils contained approximately equal quantities of dried blood." 



Summer temperatures of the soil in relation to the supply of available 

 nitrogen in the wheat areas, W. C. Gbasby (West Australian, 1911, Feb. 17; 

 abs. in Jour. Nat. Hist, and S<H. Soc. West. Aust., 4 (1912), pp. 9-11).— The rela- 

 tion of soil temperatures during hot weather (as high as 150° F. in certain cases 

 reported) to Russell and Hutchinson's theory of partial sterilization of the soil 

 as a means of promoting ammonification is briefly discussed. 



The efEect of ignition on solubility of soil phosphates, C. B. Lipman (Jour. 

 Indus, and Engin. Chem., 4 (1912), No, 9, pp. 663, 664).— It was found that 

 ignition decreased the solubility of the phosphoric acid of soils when digested 

 with coucentrnted nitric acid for two days on the steam bath. 



The efEect of ignition on the solubility of soil phosphates, G. S. Fbaps 

 (Jour. Indus, and Engin. Chem., 5 (1913), No. 5, p. 4 -Z 6). —Replying to the 

 article by C. B. Lipman noted above, the author reiterates his conclusion that 

 ignition renders the phosphoric acid of the soil more soluble in cold hydro- 

 chloric acid. 



Fertilization of citrus soils, A. Smith and H. E. Billings (Jour. Indus, and 

 Engin. Chem., 5 (1913), No. 5, pp. 415, 4J6).— Examinations of the irrigation 

 waters used on some of these soils showed the presence of sufficient amounts 

 of potash, in the opinion of the author, to render application of potash salts 

 unnecessary. 



The influence of stable manure upon the fertility of the soil, W. L. Owen 

 (Amer. Sugar Indus., 15 (1913), No. 5, pp. 27-29).— This article shows how 

 manure improves the physical, chemical, and bacteriological conditions of the 

 soil, emphasizing particularly the benefits th.it would result from the applica- 

 tion of manure on the cane soils of Louisiana in furnishing the soils with 

 those bacteria which quickly decompose vegetable matter and prevent its being 

 used by bacteria which cause loss of soil nitrogen. It is shown that the organic 

 matter of leguminous plants is more effective in this resi^ect than that of other 

 kinds of plants. 



The conservation of phosphates in the urine, P. E. Browning (S. Intcrnat. 

 Cong. Appl. Chem. [Washitigton and New York] Orig. Commun., 15 (1912), 

 Sect. VII, p. 41; Discussions, 27 (1912), pp. 122, 123).— A method of precipitat- 



