1920] SOILS FEETILIZEES. 27 



reverts to insoluble forms in tlie soil, those forms to which it reverts in the pres- 

 ence of lime are relatively less insoluble and more available than those to which 

 it reverts in the presence of iron and aluminum compounds. It is therefore 

 recommended that pulverized limestone be mixed with acid phosphate to pre- 

 vent the formation of insoluble phosphates of iron and aluminum in the soil. 



Part II is an address on the future of the agricultural lime industry. 



Absorption of lime by soils, F. J. Wabth and Maung Po Saw {Mem. Dept. 

 Ayr. India, Cliem. Set:, 5 {.1919), No. 6, pp. 157-172, pZs. 7).— Experiments on 

 the amount of lime absorbed from bicarb(jnate solution containins; different 

 amounts of lime and carlxtn dioxid by four different soils in Burma, two of acid 

 reaction and two of alkaline reaction, are reported, and the method used in 

 determining the lime absorption is described. The data on lime absorption by 

 these soils is reported graphically. 



The experiments are considered to have yielded definite information regarding 

 conditions under which lime is removed from or absorbed by soils of different 

 types. It is noted that the absorption must take place in a similar manner 

 whether it is the organic or inorganic soil constituents which effect the alisorp- 

 tion. The more usual form of absorption curve as worked out for potash can 

 be roughly calculated for lime also from the data given, although the direct 

 experimental determination can not be carried out without difficulty. The 

 method used in determining lime absorption is based on the assumption that 

 the amount of lime absorbed by a soil from a calcium bicarbonate solution will 

 depend upon the concentrations of lime and carbon dioxid in solution. 



The effect of zinc in soil test.s with zinc and galvanized iron pots, S. D. 

 Conner {Jour. Amer. Soc. Agrou.,, 12 {1920), No. 2, pp. 61-64). — It was found 

 in pot tests with live acid soils in paraffined galvanized iron pots at the Indiana 

 Experiment Station that crops began to fail unexpectedly in the second season. 

 Tests of the soils in which crops had failed showed the presence of water- 

 soluble zinc salts in injurious amounts, especially in the untreated or insuffi- 

 ciently limed soils but not in soils to which sufficient lime had been added. It 

 was noted that the paraffin coating had been granulated and that the soil acids 

 and zinc salts had passed through it. This is considered to be unquestioned evi- 

 dence that it is unsafe to use zinc-coated pots in acid soil tests until a satisfac- 

 tory coating is found. In addition, this action of acid soils on zinc is considered 

 to be evidence that soils contain true acids. 



Nine references to literature bearing on the subjects are included. 



The cleavage of betain by the bacteria of "guanol," A. Koch and A. 

 Oelsner {Biachem. Ztschr., 94 {1919), No. 3-4, pp. 139-162) .—Studies are re- 

 ported which show that in the manufacture of guanol fertilizer the betain of 

 the molasses sludge is decomposed by lower organisms which originate in the 

 composting material used. Besides these were found molds which attack the 

 l)etain, forming trimethylamin. In addition, the so-called betainobacter were 

 lound in guanol which split off the nitrogen as ammonia, of which very little 

 is utilized. 



It was also found that considerable quantities of carlion dioxid are formed 

 ])y oxidation of the betain with methyl alcohr»l, formic acid, and small quantities 

 of acetic acid as between-products. 



Experiments with phos-pho-gernis conducted at the experiment stations 

 to determine its relative efficiency as compared with commercial fertiliz- 

 ers, T. C. Johnson {Va. Dept. Ayr. anil Immigr. BuL U8 (1920), pp. 69, 70).— 

 Experiments conducted at the Virginia Truck and Virginia College Experi- 

 ment Stations are reported, .showing that the phos-pho-germ used did not prove 

 satisfactory as a fertilizer for kale, cabbage, Irish potatoes, and sweet potatoes 

 in the truck-crop producing section of eastern Virginia. 



