WATER SOILS. 345 



-Gnproductive black soils, H. A. Huston {Indiana Sta. Bui. 95, pp. 31, pis. 4, 

 Jigs. ,5).— This is prat-tically a reprint of Bulletin 57 of this station {E. S. R., 8, p. 34), 

 witli the addition of mechanical and chemical analyses of 3 samples of unproductive 

 black sandy soil and 1 sample of unproductive muck. The chemical analyses indi- 

 cate a deficiency of phosphoric acid and potash, especially the latter, in the black 

 sandy soils. The unproductive muck soil, however, contained larger percentages of 

 these than adjacent productive soil. The conclusions regarding the temporary 

 improvement of unproductive black lands by use of straw or kainit and permanent 

 improvement by means of efficient drainage are the same as in the previous bulletin. 

 In the present bulletin, however, more specific recommendations are made regard- 

 ing the use of kainit and other potash salts as fertilizers for corn on black lands con- 

 taining considerable sand but not having a high-water level. A trial of phosphoric 

 acid in addition to potash salts is also suggested. 



Soil conditions in the Philippines, C. W. Dorsey {Philippine Bureau Agr. Bui. 

 S, pp. 57, pis. 10, Jig. 1, map 1) . — This bulletin discusses general soil conditions in the 

 abacd or Manila hemp districts; in Union Province, Luzon, and in the Philippine 

 forests, and gives an account of a more detailed survey of the Batangas area, Luzon. 

 The agricultural adaptations of the various soils are given special attention. It is 

 stated "that certain districts possess soils adapted to the cultivation of Manila hemp, 

 sugar cane, rice, tobacco, cocoanuts, coffee, and cacao, . . . but there are also many 

 fine tracts of land where these industries can be greatly extended and improved, and 

 new crops, such as cotton and tea, a host of fine fruits, and minor produce crops can 

 be profitably introduced." 



The preservation of the soil from damage caused by sluits, E. B. Bradfield 

 {Agr. Jour. Cape Good Hope, 2S {1903), No. ^, pp. 190-195) .—Thin article discusses 

 l)riefly the damage caused l)y and methods of prevention of soil washing. 



Reclam.ation of drift sands in Cape Colony, C. D. H. Braine {Agr. Jour. Cape 

 Good Hope, 23 {1903), No. 3, pp. 161-178, pis. 4)- — A description of the extent and 

 character of the drift sands of Cape Colony, with some account of the government 

 attempts to reclaim these areas, and analyses of Eerste River drift sand at different 

 depths and periods. The method of reclamation followed has involved the spread- 

 ing of town refuse on the sand and the planting of sand-binding trees and grasses. 

 The average cost of 5 years' reclamation work at Eerste River was $48.74 per acre. 

 The trees found most useful for planting on the sands were Acacia saligna and A. 

 cyclopis. Various species of Eucalyptus have also been planted with more or less 

 promise of success. 



"The Fabricia {Leptospernum laevigatum) propagates readily, and is most effective in 

 arresting sands in warm climates. Other useful trees are the Tainariv gallica, 

 Widdringtonia cupressoides, and the Cupressus viacrocarpa. ... Of the grasses used 

 in the Cape Colony, by far the most successful is the Ehrharta gigantea or pypgrass, 

 the vigor of its growth far exceeding that of any other. Perhaps the most useful is 

 the indigenous Triticum junceum, which is being used on the exposed littoral dune at 

 Port IClizabeth, as it thrives well near the sea. The Elymus arenarius does not grow 

 freely on the driest parts of the sands, and has, on the whole, shown poor germina- 

 tion, although in some cases health}' and strong. Extensive exi)eriments have been 

 made with marram grass {Psamma arenaria), also known as Aininopliila aninditiacea 

 and Arundo arenaria, but the results have been very disappointing. . . . Other use- 

 ful grasses are the Cynodon dacfi/lon and Sporoholas nndrella, which were self-intro- 

 duced at Eerste River and grew vigorously. The Panicum and iStenotaphrum are 

 also indigenous grasses that do well on sandy soils." 



Agricultural geology, J. E. Marr {London: Metlmen & Co., 1903, pp. XI [^ 318, 

 figs. 104, map 1). — The author states in his preface that "this book has been written, 

 after study of the schedule framed for the guidance of candidates for the International 

 Diploma ot Agriculture, to be used by students who are reading for examinations in 



