1»^0] SOILS — FERTILIZERS. 623 



iiient of soils, and instructions as to the practical use of the lead acetate test 

 for soil acidity are outlined. 



Rcpoi't of tlic director of soil and fertilizer investigation, E. M. Taylob 

 (Ann. Rpt. Dept. Ayr., New Brunswick, 1919, pp. 188-191). — Data are reported 

 on the lime re<iuirenients of representative samples of soils from various parts 

 of the I'rovince of New Brunswick, the conspicuous feature of which is the 

 apparent degree of acidity of these soils. Data on the lime resources of the 

 Province and the use of lime are also Includod. 



Reactio^is of experimental soils and the lime requirements of the soils 

 of Malnibhus, Sweden, L. Forsbeuc {Malmo. Liins. Hnshdll. Sdllsk. Kvrtlsskr., 

 1919, Xo. 4' PP- 4^S-/f63). — Data on the reactions of representative sand and 

 clay soils from the Province of Malmohus, determined each successive year for 

 11 years, showed 45 per cent of the sand soils to be acid, 13 per cent neutral, 

 and 42 per cent alkaline in reaction. Of the clay soils. 30 per cent were acid, 

 13 per cent neutral, and 57 per cent alkaline. These results are taken to indi- 

 cate the advisability of testing all sand and clay soils for acidity, and the 

 litmus test is recommended for this purpose. Marling of these soils, while 

 successful, was found to be expensive, and the use of commercial ground lime- 

 stone is recommended for reducing the acidity. 



The development of roots and the lime content of soil, Tacke (Filhling's 

 Landw. Ztg., 69 (1920), No. 3-.'f, pp. 58, 59). — Commenting on the report by 

 Osvald, noted below, different experiments are reviewed to show that the roots 

 of crops penetrate into upland moor soils only to the depth at which they con- 

 tain sufficient basic material to neutralize the free humus acids. 



Investigations on the effect of ground water level on the rooting of 

 meadow plants on moor soils, H. Osvald {Fiihling's Landtv. Ztg., 68 (1919), 

 Nos. n-18, pp. 321-3 ',0; 19-20, pp. 370-386, figs. //).— Five years' experiments 

 on the influence of varying the ground water level in a well-decomposed sandy 

 lowland moor peat soil and in a little decomposed sandy upland peat soil, on 

 the yield and manner of rooting of nine different types of grasses and clovers, 

 are reported. 



The kind of soil was of the utmost importance relative to the influence of 

 soil water on the spreading of grass roots in the different soil layers. This is 

 caused by the greater or lesser capillary power of the soil and its ability to 

 retain rain water. With Reference to the retention of rain water the sphagnum 

 moor soils were equal to the coarser forest moor soils, but could not be com- 

 pared witli them as regards capillarity. 



It is concluded, therefore, that moor soil should not be too intensively drained 

 owing to the danger of lowering the ground water level below the rooting area 

 of plants, thereby causing them to suffer from drought. The sphagnum moor 

 soils, on account ^)t their general condition, should contain much more moisture 

 than the lowland moor .soils. It was foun<l in this connection that crops on up- 

 land moor soils suffered more from drought than crops on excessively drained 

 lowland moor soil.s. The rolling of upland moor soils to compact the upper 

 layers of soil and render them more retentive of moisture is recommended. 

 Methods are also discussed for the preparation of root systems for study. 



A list of 52 references to literature l)earing on the subject is included. 



The extent, geographic condition, quality, and utilization of the moors 

 of Courland, J. Dkkyek (Yerofjcnil. (Jcogr. In.st. Albert us Univ., Konigsb., No. 

 1 (1919), pp. [VI]+261, pi. 1, figH. //).— The results of a year's study of the 

 geography, physical and chendcal composition, extent, and po.ssibilities for 

 utilization of the moor soils of Russian Courland are reported, particular refer- 

 ence being made to their agricultural value, 

 13621°— 20 3 



