7i\'2 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



The after-effect of soil inoculation for leguminous plants on other crops, 



F. Noisnic and 1.. MuwiEu ( Lini<hr. IV/-.s. St/tt., .',!> (nmj), Xn. 3-4, pp. 17r>-177).— 

 OhIs <rrti\\ii ill soil wliii'ii liad been used the previous year in the inoculation experi- 

 ineiilM referred to above were lar<iely increased in yield as an after-effect of the inocu- 

 lation. This increase is attril)uted to the larj^er amounts oi nitrogen furnished by 

 the roots of the leguminous croj) in the inoculated soil. 



Notes on nitrification, 11. H. Cousins {Bid. Dept. A(jr. Jdmaini, j (1904), No. 1, 

 pp. /-.'/). — A general discu.ssion of this subject. 



The life conditions of nitrate bacteria, II. F>i iilekt {Fi'ihlbig^H Lmuhr. /J;/., 

 r>;i [lfi()4), Xu. 1, ])]>. ^9-S4). — A general discussion of conditions favorable to 

 nitrification. 



On denitrification in cultivated soil, G. Ampol.v and C. Ulpiani {(laz. Chim. 

 Ildl., .,'.! (/!)(/.!), I J, p. ljr>; nh.s. in CJinn. Ztg., «7 {1903), No. 99, Reprrt. No. 22, p. 

 31')). — Investigations are re[>orted Avliich show that under ordinary conditions cal- 

 cium nitrate, which is the natural i)roduct of nitrification, is not readily acted upon 

 by the denitrifying organisms. In order to prevent loss of nitrogen it is necessary to 

 abstain from applications of fresh coarse manure to the soil while nitrification is in 

 progre.«s, and in order that sodium nitrate may be of the greatest benefit it must be 

 a]>plied only after the manure has undergone very complete decomposition. 



Alkali and alkali lands, R. H. Lougiiridge et al. {Califorma Sta. Rpt. 1902-3, 

 pp..>7-56). — This includes astatement with reference to the history of investigations 

 relating to this subject with a list of publications treating of alkali lands which have 

 been issued either by the California Station or elsewhere ])y the present director of 

 the station; and analyses of alkali soils from different parts of the 8tate with refer- 

 ence to geographic distribution and distribution in different depths of soil. Obser- 

 vations on the latter subject at the San Joa<|uin Substation have shown that — 



"(1) Alkali of similar strengths or similar composition is not continuous over an 

 area of more than a few feet, and may vary very materially even at nearer points. 



"(2) There is a very great difference and varialjility in the composition of each of 

 the several salts in adjoining soil colunnis, being within danger limits in one and 

 below the danger point for cultures in the other. Thus a culture sensitive to carbo- 

 nate of soda and not to common salt might grow at a point 16 ft. east of the center 

 line with its 1,160 lbs. of car])onate, while it would suffer if planted 16 ft. to either 

 side, where the carbonate is 1,600 or 1,900 lbs. And similarly with reference to 

 conmion salt on adjacent spots. This effect of varying amounts of an injurious salt 

 is often felt in orchards and is marked by the suffering of single trees here and there. 



"(3) The rise of alkali toward the surface is seen in the accumulation of the several 

 salts within the upper 2 ft. in each soil column, and in the progressive diminution 

 downward from foot to foot; but the irregularity in rise is apparent when we take 

 eacli salt in the column into consideration. 



The benefits of drainage, E. W. Hilgard [CaUfornkt Sta. Rpt. 1902-3, pp. 64, 

 65) . — A brief general statement of the benefits of drainage, particularlj' in connection 

 with irrigation and where alkali occurs. 



Experiments in washing salt land, E. Gele {Jour. Khediv. Arjr. Soc. and School 

 Aijv., 5 {1903), No. 3, pp. 83-90). 



The sanitary relations of the soil, H. B. Bashore {Sanitarian, 52 {1904), No. 

 410, pp. 42-44). — A brief discussion. 



FERTILIZERS. 



Annual report on the working of the sewage farm at Manjri for 1902-3, 

 P. R. Mehta and J. W. Leather {Bombay, 1903, pp. 11, chart 1). — Comparative tests 

 on sugar cane, onions, peanuts, yams, and other crops of the effluent from a septic tank 

 and of the same effluent after passage through the contact beds are reported. The 



