SOILS FEETILIZEKS. 521 



The conclusions from several years' investigations with lithium salts are 

 "(1) that lithium, in the form of any of its salts, produces a toxic effect if it 

 is present in the soil to the extent of 0.003 per cent or above that amount; (2) 

 the toxic effect is greater the more lithium there be present, and as between 

 diffex'ent salts of lithium the nitrate is the most toxic; (3) when present in the 

 soil to an amount not exceeding 0.002 per cent, lithium possesses a stimulating 

 influence and is no longer toxic in nature; (4) while this applies to all salts of 

 lithium, the nitrate would seem to be the most stimulating salt, and to produce 

 the best results when present not in excess of 0.001 per cent lithium; (5) the 

 action of lithium salts on vegetation is exerted mainly in the early stage of the 

 germination of the seed." 



The effect of zinc and lead salts on vegetation was vei'y different from that 

 of lithium salts. It was found, for example, that zinc could be used with im- 

 punity in ten times the amount of lithium, and lead probably to an even greater 

 extent. 



The experiments on the ratio of lime to magnesia led to the general con- 

 clusions "(1) that magnesia may, with advantage to the wheat plant, be added 

 to a soil poor in magnesia, so long as the amount of magnesia in the soil does 

 not exceed that of lime; (2) as the ratio of lime to magnesia approaches 1 : 1, a 

 benefit will continue to accrue, but if magnesia be in excess a toxic influence 

 will be exercised and the crop be diminished; (3) soils in which magnesia is in 

 excess of lime will not give fully satisfactory results as regards corn growing, 

 but will be benefited by the addition of lime; (4) lime used in excess does not 

 possess the toxic influence which magnesia, similarly used, has; (5) magnesia 

 and lime alike are capable of modifying the growth of the wheat plant, altering 

 the nature and extent of the root development and the character of the grain. 

 These modifications are mainly shown in the stronger and greener appearance of 

 the flag, the production of a much developed and very fibrous root growth, and 

 the greater assimilation of nitrogen resulting in the obtaining of a more gluti- 

 nous grain." 



The effect of sulphites, thiosulphate, and sulphur in the soil on the 

 growth of plants, W. Thalau (.Landic. Vers. Stat., 82 (1913), No. 3-4, pp. 

 magnesia ratio by precipitating as oxalate the excess of lime taken up from the 

 161-209, figs. 8; abs. in CJiem. Zentljl., 1918, II, No. 11, pp. 985, 986; Ztschr. 

 Angew. Chem., 26 (1913), No. 82, Referatenteil, p. 601).— From the results of 

 pot and water culture experiments made during 1911 and 1912 the author con- 

 cludes that ammonium sulphite had about the same fertilizing effect as am- 

 monium sulphate on loam soils, was somewhat less effective on sandy soils, 

 but gave much smaller yields on peat soils. In water cultures even very small 

 amounts, 0.4 per cent, of ammonium sulphite were very injurious to plants 

 and a 1 per cent solution completely destroyed the germinating plants, while 

 a 1 per cent solution of ammonium sulphate was without injurious effect. 

 When exposed to the air, ammonium sulphite quickly oxidized to ammonium 

 sulphate, and the oxidation was still more rapid when the salt was mixed with 

 soil. Calcium sulphite did not reduce the yield either in loam or sandy soils 

 but appeared to be injurious in peat soils. In water cultures the injury to 

 growth increased with increasing amounts of the calcium sulphite. Sodium 

 thiosulphate was without injurious effect on the plant yield. The results with 

 sulphur in form of flowers of sulphur were inconclusive. 



[Fertilizer inspection in Alabama], B. B. Ross (Bui. Agr. Dept. Ala., 1918, 

 No. 59, pp. 152). — Analyses and valuations of fertilizers examined during the 

 year ended June 30, 1913, are reported with notes on fertilizer requirements of 

 soils, the composition, sources, and properties of fertilizers, mixing fertilizers 

 on the farm, and fertilizer laws of the State. 



