620 ' EXPERIMENT STATION EECORD. 



Observations and researches in soil temperature, S. de Grazia (Staz. Sper. 

 Agr. Ital., 4I (1908), yo. 2-J,, pp. 91-llJ,; ahs. in Chem. Zcnthl.. 1908, I, No. 26. 

 p. 2197). — This is a study of the effect of stable and green manures on soil 

 temperature. 



The experiment was made in pots kept under shade to avoid solar radiation 

 and care was tal^en to prevent the earth in the pots from being wet by rains. 

 In one jiot the earth was compresse<^l so as to resemble sod ; in the others the 

 earth was left loose as in well worked soil. With one of these well pulverized 

 cow manure was incorpoi'ated and into the others gi'een manures as follows : 

 Beans, vetch, lupines, rye, and barley. The manure was used at the rate of 

 about 22 tons per acre, and was so compressed as to fill the sjiace from 10 to 

 25 cm. below the top of each pot. A thermometer was placed at each of these 

 depths. 



In the loose soil the temperature was slightly higher than in sod at both 

 depths. The stable manure caused an increase of temperature at both depths, 

 but the green manure was always more effective. Of the green manures, the 

 legumes gave better results than the grasses, and of the legumes vetcli was 

 most effective and beans least so. 



Fixation of atmospheric nitrogen by leguminous plants, M. Passon (BoJ. 

 Inst. Agron. [8do Paulo], 1 {1908), Xo. 2, pp. .56-63 ) .—The yield of dry matter 

 and nitrogen content of fertilized (with potash aud phosphoric acid) and un- 

 fertilized velvet beans, cowi)eas, and Arachis prostrata are reported. The use 

 of the mineral fertilizers increased both yield and nitrogen content and is con- 

 sidered a profitable practice in the growing of leguminous plants for green 

 manuring. 



Experiments on cross-inoculation of different genera of leguminous plants 

 with pure cultures of tubercle bacteria, F. Nobbe, I.i. Kichter, and J. Simon 

 (Landiv. Vers. Stat., 68 {1908), No. 3-4, pp. 229-252; ahs. in Deut. Landir. 

 Presse, 35 (1908), Xo. 52, pp. 556, 557). — The results of cross-inoculation with 

 Pistim sativum, P. arvense, Vicia sativa, V. villosa, Medicago Jupulina, M. sativa. 

 Trifoliuni protcnse. T. repens, T. incarnatum. Lahnrnum ruJgarc, Lotus cornicu- 

 latus, Rohinki pscudacacia, Ornithopus satlvus, Onohriichis sativa. and Lupinus 

 Jntriis are reported, showing that pure cultures from tubercles of one member of 

 a genus are effective on other members of the same, and, as a rule, only of the 

 same, genus. There was, however, in these experiments conijilete interchange- 

 ability in case of peas and vetches and partial in case of lupines and serradella. 



Nitrogen in dead forest cover, E. Henry (Rev. E'aux et ForMs, Ift (1908), 

 Xo. 9, pp. 27-'t-278; Bui. Soc. Set. Xancy, 3. set:, 9 (1908), No. Jf, pp. 353-357).— 

 This is a review of investigations relating to this subject which confirm the 

 author's conclusion that under favorable conditions there is always a decided 

 increase of nitrogen by the fixation of the free nitrogen of the air in dead forest 

 cover. 



The influence of bacteria on evaporation from soils, II. Stigell (Centhl. 

 Bakt. [etc.], 2. Abt., 21 (1908), Xo. 1-3, pp. 60, 6*i).— Observations on the rate of 

 evaporation of water from Petri dish cultures of BaciUus subtilis, B. coli com- 

 -rnunis, B. mesentericus fuscus, and Proteus vulgaris in quartz sand, water, and 

 bouillon show that evaporation was in all cases greater and more rapid' in 

 sterile cultures than in those inoculated with the organisms. This is attributed 

 to utilization of moisture by the organisms, absorption in their metabolic 

 products, and reduction of the porosity of the medium by the metabolic products 

 of the organisms. 



Concerning the difference of behavior of soil organisms -when in solution 

 and when in soils, F. L. Stevens, W. A. Withers, et al. (Abs. in Jour. Elisha 

 MltfhcU Sri. .s'of.. 2', {7008). Xo. 2. p. 51; Science, n. ser.. 27 (1908), Xo. 7QIf, 



