WATEK SOILS. 238 



The soil: An introduction to the scientific study of the growth of crops, 

 A. D. Hall {London: J. Murray, 190S, pp. XV ^ 286, ph. 13, figs. .^).— The author 

 states in his preface that this book "is primarily intended for the students of our agri- 

 cultural colleges and schools, and for the farmer who wishes to know something al)out 

 the materials he is handling day by day. While a certain knowledge of chemistry is 

 assumed, it is hoped that the subject is so treated as to l)e intelligible to the non- 

 technical reader wiio is without this preliminary grounding. Though the V)ook is in 

 no sense an exhaustive treatise, it has been my desire to give the reader an outline 

 of all the recent investigations which have opened up so many soil problems and 

 thrown new liglit on ditRculties that are experienced in practice." 



The subject of soils is treated in its chemical, physical, and biological relations, and 

 different chapters discuss the origin of soils, the mechanical analysis of soils, the tex- 

 ture of the soil, tillage and the movements of soil water, the temperature of the soil, 

 the chemical analysis of soils, the living organisms of the soil, the power of the soil 

 to absorb salts, causes of fertility and sterility of soils, and soil types. Appendixes 

 give chemical analyses of typical soils, and a classified bibliography of some of the 

 more important works on soils. 



The subject is discussed, of course, mainly from the standpoint of British condi- 

 tions, but the results of European and American investigations are drawn on freely, 

 but discriminatingly. 



The book is notable not only for its general excellence, l)ut because it has none of 

 the staleness of a mere compilation ; but possesses the originality and suggestiveness to 

 be expected in the work of an author so actively interested, as teacher and investigator, 

 in the subjects discussed. 



Report on composition of muskeg- soils, H. Snyder {Mhwesota Sta. Bui. 81, pp. 

 ^S4-3S8). — Descriptions and chemical analyses of 10 samples of muskeg (peaty) soils 

 are given. All the samples were decidedly acid, high in organic matter and nitrogen, 

 and low in mineral matter. Suggestions are made regarding the treatment of the 

 soils under cultivation. 



Agricultural soils of the Province de la Union, C. W. Dorsey {PliUijyphw 

 Bureau Agr. Bui 1, pp. 12, pis. ^).— The physiography and soils of the province are 

 described, together with the crops generally grown. 



The amounts of readily water-soluble salts found in soils under field con- 

 ditions, F. H. King {Science, n. ser., 18 {1903), No. 454, pp- 343-345). — It is shown 

 that by drying soils at a temperature of 110 to 120° C. a much larger amount of 

 soluljle salts is obtained than is yielded by the same soils fresh from the field, the 

 amounts in some cases being more than trebled. The causes of this are discussed. 

 The readily water-soluble constituents in the first, second, third, and fourth feet of 

 a Wisconsin soil unfertilized and receiving different amounts of manure and guano 

 are reported, showing the comparatively large amounts of soluljle salts carried by 

 ordinary soils. 



The nitrogen compounds of arable soils, G. Andre {Compt. Rend. Acad. Sci. 

 Paris, 136 {1903), No. 13, ])p. 880-823). — In continuation of previous investigations 

 (E. S. R., 14, p. 1056) the author determined the total and annnoniacal nitrogen (by 

 tlic methods used in previous investigations) in soil from the surface and at depths 

 ul :!5 to 65 cm. on April 1 and 16, and October 27, 1902, and October 25, 1901. The 

 largest amount of ammoniacal nitrogen was found in the lower layers of the soil in 

 spring. 



Nitrification as dependent upon organic and humified substances, Smirnov 

 {Mater. IzucJicn. Iluss. Poclir, No. 14, pp. 1-19; <tbs. in Zhur. Opiiitn. Agron. \^Jour. 

 E.vpt. Landw.'l, 4 {1903), No. 1, p. 117). — The author observed the progress of nitrifi- 

 cation in 4 soils containing different amountsof humus (from 0.42 to 3.55 ])er cent) . In 

 all cases a certain regularity was noted in the accumulation of nitric acid, depending 

 upon the time and u^kju the amounts of humus. Thus, in the soil with 0.42 per 



