SOILS FERTILIZERS. 15 



pressure) for Seward Peninsula and the Fairbanks district during IDOG-T. and 

 a summary of observations on precipitation throngliout Alaska from 1902 t<i 

 3907. inclusive. 



Nitrates, nitrites, and ammonia in sea water, W. E. Ringer and I. M. P. 

 Klingen {Chem. Weekbl., 5 (1908), No. 10, pi). l.'/7-168). — Previous investiga- 

 tions ou this subject are reviewed, and the results of tests by very refined 

 methods of numerous samples of sea water are reported, showing in different 

 cases considerable amounts of the three forms of nitrogen. 



The fertilizing value of snow, F. T. Shutt (Trans. Roy. 8oc. Canada, 3. ser., 

 J (W07-S), Sec. Ill, pp. 35-38; Chem. News, 97 (1908), No. 2530, pp. 2)3, 

 2.'i'i). — Determinations of free and albuminoid ammonia, nitrates, and nitrites 

 in snow collected on the Central Experimental Farm of Canada at intervals 

 from February 21 to May 4, 1907, are reported. 



The results show wide fluctuations in the nitrogen content of the samples, 

 but the average for the total nitrogen was 0.471 part per million, of which 

 0.256 was free ammonia, 0.052 albuminoid ammonia, and 0.1C3 nitrates and 

 nitrites. It is calculated that with an average snowfall of 90 in. approximately 

 1 lb. of nitrogen would be supplied to the soil per acre during a season. 



On the purification of peaty waters by freezing, F. T. Shutt (Trans. Roy. 

 Soc. Canada. 3. .ser., 1 (1907-8). Sec. Ill, itp. 31-33). — Analyses of 2 samples 

 of river water containing considerable amounts of peaty matter are compared, 

 with analyses of ice from the same source. The results show that in freezing 

 a very large proportion of the dissolved organic matter was eliminated. The 

 amount of chlorin was also reduced and the mineral matter was entirely 

 eliminated. 



On natural filtration of soils, W. Prausnitz (Ztschr. Hyg. u. InfeJctions- 

 kranJc, 59 (1908), pp. 161-22.',, pi. 1, pfjs. 70).— This article gives the results 

 of a large number of observations on the removal of disease germs from waters 

 percolating through soils. 



SOILS— FERTILIZERS. 



Preliminary report on the agricultural geology of Nebraska, G. E. Condra 

 and A. Keyser (Ann. Rpt. Nebr. Bd. Ayr., 1906-7, pp. 325-350, flgs. 7).— This 

 ]»ai)er supi)lements previous articles by E. H. Barbour (E. S. R., 14, p. 046) 

 summarizing the results of a study of the geography and geology of the State 

 hi connection with the State and National geological and soil surveys. It 

 briefly describes the climatic, topographic, and geological conditions of the 

 State, as well as soils, drainage, and water supply. Four typical soil areas 

 are distinguished, namely, the loess, sand hill, high plains, and bad land re- 

 gions. The predominant soil types are Marshall silt loam, Miami silt loam, 

 Marshall flne sandy loam, Marshall loam, Wabash silt loam, meadow, river 

 wash, and dune sand. The agricultural adaptabilities of the difl:"erent soil areas 

 are briefly discussed. 



Drainage conditions in Wisconsin, A. R. Whitson and E. R. Jones (Wis- 

 consin ,^ta. Rpt. 1907, pp. 286, 287). — This is a synopsis of Bulletin 140 of the 

 station (E. S. R., 19, p. 87). 



The required capacity of open drainage ditches, E. R. Jones (Wisconsin 

 Sta. Rpt. 1907, pp. 288-293, fig. /) .—Observations on rainfall and run-off in a 

 typical marsh land district of the State are recorded. 



Some field studies in tile drainage, E. R. Jones and W. C. Schroeder (Wis- 

 eonsin >S1a. Rpt. 1907, pp. 29'i-301).—Th\fi is a record of observations in Mil- 

 waukee and Racine counties on the extent, methods, and advantages of tile 

 drainage. 



