814 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol.41 



a summary of fei'tilizer experiments on alluvial wheat soils, black cotton soils, 

 and lateritic rice soils. 



It has been found on the rice soils that 10 lbs. of nitrogen per acre added as 

 poudrette has given a greater increased retxirn than the same amount of nitrogen 

 added as cattle manure, and a still greater increase has been obtained from 

 night soil. Additions of calcium cyanamid and of bone meal separately, and 

 of bone meal in combination with sodium nitrate, have resulted in a loss. Bone 

 meal combined with ammonium sulphate has generally given a small profit, 

 as have also dried leaves and tank silt. Castor cake has given a small net 

 profit in some cases and a loss in others. 



"The only manures which have consistently given large acreage profits are 

 cattle manure, night soil, and poudrette. The supply of night soil and pou- 

 drette is so small and the difliculty of getting sweepers to apply them so great 

 that they are only of secondary importance as an economic factor in crop 

 production. It therefore becomes evident that of the manures available in 

 any quantity, cattle dung is the only one which really counts." Green manure 

 is suggested as the best probable substitute for cattle manure, and experiments 

 Avith sann-henip as green manure on rice soils have proved profitable. 



Experiments on cotton soils with urine earth " have shown that, in the year 

 of application to jowar (.4. sor(ihum) and cotton fields, the urine of a bullock 

 for any definite period of time is equal in manurial value to its solid excreta 

 for the same time." Green manuring is not considered a feasible proposition 

 on this soil. 



Soil deficiencies in India, with, special reference to indigo.— Phosphorus 

 and the future, H. E. Armstrong {Joiir. Roy. 8oc. Arts, 67 (1919), No. 3471, pp. 

 U6-J,60; ah^. in Chem. Ahs., 13 {1919), No. 16, p. 1892).— This is a general dis- 

 cussion on deficiency of phosphates in Indian soils with special reference to 

 indigo soils. 



In the soils examined phosphate was found to be deficient, while potash, 

 calcium, nitrogen, and organic matter were present in relatively great excess. 

 Additions of superphosphate and green hemp produced the best yields of indigo. 

 It is pointed out that indican formation depends on a good available supply of 

 phosphate, while an excess of nitrogen in the soil retards indican formation. 



Fertilizers, J. G. McDonald (Rhodesia Munitions and Resources Com. Rpt. 

 1918, pp. 35-Jfl). — This is a short note on the value and proper use of fer- 

 tilizer, with special reference to Rhodesian conditions. 



Peat and its utilization, P. de Mongolfier (La Tourbe et Son Utilisation. 

 Paris: H. Dunod et E. Pinnt, 1918, pp. [1^+179, figs. ^3).— This book deals with 

 the origin and physical and chemical properties of peat, describes the peat 

 deposits of Europe and America, and discusses its commercial exploitation as 

 fuel, source of gas, fertilizer carrier, etc., and its general agricultural value. 



Experiments v^ith night soil as manure, P. C. Paxil (Agr. Jour. India, 13 

 (1918), No. 2, jjp. 281-286, pi. 1). — Experiments with night soil as a manure on 

 sorghum, cotton, and rice show it to be profitable and in comparison with barn- 

 yard manure to have a considerably greater residual effect. " To ensure suc- 

 cess the following conditions are required: (1) Before application of the 

 manure the soil should be well harrowed, at least to a depth of 3 in., so that 

 the soil to that depth is loose and soft; (2) the rainfall should be heavy in the 

 first two months of the rainy season; and (3) the night soil should be applied 

 in the dry season so that it will get dry in the soil as soon after application 

 as possible, allowing thorough mixing with the soil and preventing the breed- 

 ing of fiies." 



The pressing of sewage sludge, K. Allen (Trans. Amer. Soc. Munic. Impr., 

 24 (1917-18), No. 1, pp. 1-25, figs. 7).— This iiaper presents the main features 



