724 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol. 43 



given, with the greatest movement in the horizontal column. As the columns 

 receded from the vertical, the rate of movement day by day was more uniform 

 and more constant. 



In considering the quantity of water used by the several columns, from the 

 vertical upward to the 45° downward from the horizontal, it w«s found that 

 the inclination of the columns was a most potent factor in determining the 

 quantity of water removed from the tanks. The columns inclined upward used 

 a relatively large quantity of water during the first two or three days and after 

 that time a relatively small quantity. A somewhat larger quantity of water 

 was used in the columns inclined downward from a horizontal during the tirst 

 three or four days than thereafter. As the inclination receded from the vertical, 

 the quantity of water required per inch of movement was less. 



A comparison of results obtained from columns opened to evaporation and 

 from covered columns showed them to be essentially similar, the main diiference 

 being one of degree. 



Data are reported establishing the existence of the capillary siphon in soil, 

 and it is thought that capillary siphons may not be uncommon in nature and 

 may cause the swamping of lands. Further data are given on capillary move- 

 ment of moisture from a wet to a dry soil and on the effect of temperature on 

 soil moisture conditions. 



The data obtained are reduced to empirical formulas, and a bibliography is 

 appended. 



The present status of alkali, W. P. Kelley {California Sta. Circ. 219 

 {1920), pp. 10). — This is an address delivered at the annual conference of farm 

 advisors at Berkeley, Calif., on March 25, 1920. 



The alkali problem resolves itself into the two following simple matters : 

 (1) Preventing the accumulation of an e:^^ess of salts in the soil by the elimi- 

 nation of saline irrigation water and keeping the water table below the capillary 

 reach of the soil surface, and (2) leaching the excess of salts out of the soil 

 after they have accumulated. Drainage accompanied by flooding is considered 

 to be a reasonably successful means of removing white alkali from soils. If 

 large amounts of black alkali ore present, ordinary drainage will probably not 

 restore the land to a productive condition unless the alkali is first neutralized. 

 Where only comparatively small amounts of black alkali are present, the soils 

 can often be successfully reclaimed by drainage, provided an application of 

 gypsum is also made. 



Alkali studies, A. E. Vinson and C. N. Catlin {Arizona Sta. Rpt. 1918, pp. 

 346-348).- — Studies on the use of chemicals, particularly gypsum, for the im- 

 provement of alkali soils showed that when a percolation test was made com- 

 paring untreated soil with samples to which the theoretical amount and half 

 that amount of gypsum were added, the second half of the gypsum applied had 

 two or three times the effect of the first half in promoting percolation. Labora- 

 tory studies showed that light or insufficient applications of gypsum are im- 

 profitable. The effect of gypsum on the rate of percolation in 10-in. pots on 

 soils containing black alkali showed a saving in humus and all plant foods 

 with the exception of potassium. 



Resistance of crops to alkali, A. E. Vinson and C. N. Catlin {Arizona Sta. 

 Rpt. 1918, pp. 342-345). — A series of soil analyses illustrating the resistance of 

 cotton, milo, barley, tepary beans, asparagus, feterita, and alfalfa, to alkali 

 under field conditions are reported. In general, 0.1 per cent seems to be the 

 limiting amount of black alkali for these crops. 



Nitrification in Texas soils, G. S. Fraps {Texas Sta. Bui. 259 {1920), pp. 

 5-37, figs. 2). — This bulletin reports studies on the relation of nitrate production 

 in Texas soils to various factors which infiuence soil fertility. Nitrification 



