416 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



than is found in those of the uplands of the humid regions but that it is more 

 deeply distributed than in the upland soil. 



The soils and other surface residual materials of Floi-ida, E. H. Sellards 

 (Fla. Oeol. Survey Ann. Rpt., 4 {1911), pp. 1-79, pis. 13, figs. 3).— This report 

 deals quite fully with the geological formations from which the soils of Florida 

 are derived and the topography of the State, as well as the chemical composition, 

 classification, and types of soils, the latter including pine lands and alluvial, 

 prairie, swamp, marsh, muck, and hammock lands of various kinds. The most 

 important soil types of Florida as regards extent and agricultural value are the 

 pine lands, the hammock, and the marsh and muck lands. The pine lands are 

 very variable in quality, those having a clay subsoil within a few feet of the 

 surface being particularly valuable. Small areas of productive hammock lauds 

 underlaid by marl or limestone are found widely distributed throughout the 

 State. The muck and fresh water marsh lands aggregate not less than 5,000 

 square miles, including the Everglades. The alluvial lands are but little used 

 for agricultural pui-poses. 



The soils of Mississippi, W. N. Logan (Mississippi Sta. Tech. Biol. Jf, pp. 7/9, 

 pi. 1, figs. 27). — This bulletin reports the results of original investigations of the 

 typical soils of the State. The soils are grouped in 10 geographical divisions 

 which are represented on a map accompanying the bulletin. Particular atten- 

 tion is given to the chemical composition and mineral plant food contained in 

 the soils. 



Truck soils of the Atlantic coast region, J. A. Bonsteel (U. S. Dept. Agr. 

 Yearbook 1912, pp. 417-Jf32, pis. 6, fig. 1). — This article discusses the climatic 

 conditions, transportation facilities, characteristics, and crop adaptations of 

 these soils. 



Investig-ations on soil fertility in Texas, G. S. Fraps (Proc. 8oc. Prom. Agr. 

 Sci., 33 (1912), pp. 59-6Ji). — This is a brief account of investigations which have 

 been more fully reported elsewhere (E. S. R., 28, p. 120). 



The object of these investigations was to ascertain whether the condition of 

 plant food in the soil can be determined by extracting the soil with various 

 solvents. The results indicate that there is a relation between the chemical 

 composition of the soil and its need as determined by pot experiments, and that 

 this relation can be worked out in detail and applied to field conditions. 



Soil tests, P. V. Goldsmith (Ciiha Mag., 4 (1913), No. 9, pp. .',05-407).— 

 Analyses of red and black Cuban soils are reported, and their fertilizer needs 

 are discussed. The red lands examined contained nitrogen 0.25 per cent, phos- 

 phoric acid 0.16 per cent, potash 0.15 per cent, lime 0.50 per cent, and iron 10.26 

 per cent ; the black lands, nitrogen 0.33 per cent, phosphoric acid 0.17 per cent, 

 potash 0.37 per cent, lime 2.59 per cent, and iron 5.43 per cent. 



Observations on the agricultural soils of southern Italian Somaliland, P. 

 Pbincipi (Ctior. Geol. Prat., 11 (1913), No. 2, pp. 77-i27).— The composition and 

 character of soils of different districts in this region are discussed. 



The influence of soil variation on crop production, H. J. Wilder (Agr. of 

 Mass., 1911, pp. 7-31). — The relation of soil variation to the growth of tobacco, 

 cotton, sugar cane, sugar beets, forest trees, and particularly to different varieties 

 of apples, is briefly discussed on the basis of the soil survey work of the Bureau 

 of Soils of this Department. The discussion emphasizes the fact that certain 

 important crops have reached their highest development on particular kinds of 

 soU, indicating the importance of selecting crops and soils with reference to 

 their mutual adaptability. 



Th.e composition of th.e soil water as affected by cultivation and manur- 

 ing of the soil, J. B. Harbison, F. A. Stockdale, and R. Ward (West Indian 

 Bui., 13 (1912), No. 2, pp. 110-125). — In continuation of previous experiments 



