SOILS — FERTILIZERS. 219 



bacteria. In solution tests the depth of liquid was found to be the chief factor 

 in controlling aeration, while in soil tests the depth of soil layer and the degree 

 of moisture exercised relatively little effect within comparatively wide limits. 

 However, where the depth of the soil layer interferes with aeration marked 

 differences are said to appear. 



In solution nitrification was not observed in the presence of the three ma- 

 terials used, while in soil tests with liberal aeration and not too large an excess 

 of aiMmouia it kept pace with ammonification. There was accumulation of 

 ammonia with the larger quantities of material but not with the smaller. 

 In the longer periods the ammonia accumulated during the earlier stages was 

 partly nitrified and partly lost by evaporation. With inadequate aeration 

 there was no formation of nitrate. 



The metabolism of fiesh meal proceeded almost as fast in solution as in soil, 

 while horn meal and blood meal decomposed much more rapidly in soil. 



Nitrate and nitrite assimilation, O. Baudisch (Ztschr. Angew. Chem., 26 

 (1913), No. S3, Aufsafztcil, pp. 612, 613).— The author attempts to show in this 

 article that the nitroxyl group plays an important role in nitrogen changes in 

 green plants, and discusses the ways in which this is done. 



Studies on the decomposition of cellulose in manures and soils, C. MIjtter- 

 LEiN (Stiidien iibcr die Zersetzung dcr Zelliilose im Dilngcr und Boden. [Inaug. 

 Diss.] Leipsic, 1913; ahs. in Ccntbl. Bakt. [etc.], 2. Abt., 39 (1913), No. 4-7, 

 pp. 167-169). — The work of other investigators on this subject is reviewed and 

 a series of experiments with different culture media and various inoculating 

 materials is reported. 



The effect of toluol and CS- upon the micro-flora and fauna of the soil, 

 P. L. Gainey (Missouri Bot. Gard. Aim. Rpt., 23 (1912), pp. 147-169; abs. in 

 Centbl. Bakt. [etc.], 2. Abt., 39 (1913), No. //-7, p. 158).— The results of the 

 investigations reported in this article are summarized as follows: 



"(1) Small quantities of CSz, toluol, and chloroform, such as have been used 

 practically and experimentally, when applied to the soils studied exert a stim- 

 ulative rather than a diminishing effect upon the total number of bacteria 

 present. 



"(2) An application of such quantities of CS2 and toluol does not have an 

 appreciable effect upon the number of types of protozoa present in such soils 

 as have been studied. 



"(3) A very marked increase in yield may be noted following such an appli- 

 cation when no evident change occurs in total number of bacteria present. 



"(4) In the light of the recent work of Koch, Egorov, Goodsey, Fred, and 

 others, with results presented in this paper, the theory advanced by Russell 

 and Hutchinson to account for the Increased yield following the application 

 of such chemicals appears not tenable for general application." 



The influence of fertilization on the condition of the soil and its fitness 

 for certain crops, A. Mausberg (Landw. Jahrb., 4o (1913), No. 1, pp. 29-101). — 

 Studies conducted for 18 years on the relations between the properties of a soil 

 and its fertilization and productiveness are reported, and methods of physical, 

 mechanical, and chemical analyses, and of eliminating errors are reviewed. 

 The tested soil was originally a medium heavy, deep loam, mostly fine grained, 

 with a hygroscopicity of about 2.98 per cent and an absorption coefficient for 

 ammonia of 72.5 mg. It contained relatively small quantities of plant food, 

 although needing only moderate potash and very little phosphoric acid fertili- 

 zation. 



In experiments made to determine the influence of varied fertilization on the 

 physical, mechanical, chemical, and biological properties, it was found that soil 



