118 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



The author's results fail to show any definite relation between photochemical inten- 

 sities and the altitude of the sun. — f. w. woll. 



On the importance of land drainage for the prevention of frost, A. G. Hog- 

 bom (Svenska Mosskulturfor. Tidskr., 19(1905), No. 9, pp. 112-119).— A discussion. of 

 the subject with special reference to conditions on moor soils. 



Well waters from farm homesteads, F. T. Shutt (Canada Expt. Farms Rpte. 

 1904, 1>1>- 191-193).— Analyses of 66 samples from different sources are reported and 

 briefly discussed. 



Ground water, M. Ringelmann (Jour. Agr. Prat, n. ser., 8 {1904), Nos. 49, pp. 

 739-741, figs. 5; 50, pp. 771-773, figs. 7).— A brief general discussion of the conditions 

 which influence the percolation and level of water in soils and the formation of 

 springs, etc. 



The natural hardness of water, E. Basch ( Chem. Ztg., 29 (1905), Xo. 14, pp. 

 176, 177; abs. in Chem. Centbl, 1905, I, No. 13, pp. 950, 957) .—The author points out 

 the importance of making a sharp distinction between temporary and carbonate hard- 

 ness, as well as between permanent and gypsum hardness. 



The purification and sterilization of waters by means of calcium peroxid 

 according to the Freyssinge and Roche method (Ann. < 'him. Anatyt., 10 (1905), 

 No. 4, pp. 149, 150). — A brief description of the method. 



Changes in the bacterial content of water in passing- through a distribut- 

 ing reservoir, B. G. Philbrick (Abs. in Science, n. ser., 21 ( 1905), No. 535, p. 493). — 

 Routine weekly analyses covering a period of 10 years of the influent and effluent 

 streams of Chestnut Hill Reservoir, Boston, are summarized. 



Presence and distribution of nitrogen-fixing bacteria in the sea, Keutner 

 (Wiss. Meeresunters. Abt. Kiel, 8; abs. in Jour. ('Item. Soc. [London], 88 (1905), No. 

 509, II, p. 189). — The author reports that the nitrogen-fixing bacteria Azotobacter 

 chroococcum and Clostridium pasteurianum are widely distributed in the ocean, occur- 

 ring on algas and on plankton organisms. They are also found in many fresh waters. 

 A. chroococcum was found to have the power of fixing nitrogen in an 8 per cent solu- 

 tion of sodium chlorid. 



SOILS— FERTILIZERS. 



Swamp soils, R. HARCOURT(^lmi. Rpt. Ontario Agr. Col. and Expt. Farm, 30 (1904), 

 pp. 60, 61). — Information regarding this class of soils in Ontario is summarized from 

 replies to a circular of inquiry sent to farmers in different parts of the province, and 

 the general chemical characteristics of the soils based upon analyses of 35 samples 

 are briefly discussed. 



"None of the soils could be said to be 'sour' or acid, although a few were rather 

 low in lime. They, however, all contained a low percentage of both potash and 

 phosphoric acid, much lower than the ordinary arable lands, and they were all 

 exceptionally low r in 'available' ash constituents. Some good authorities state that 

 soils to be productive should contain as much as 0.03 per cent of potash and phos- 

 phoric acid in a form available for plants. Only a few of them reached this mini- 

 mum limit, and many of them contained as small an amount as 0.005 per cent," 



Abitibi soils, R. Harcourt, .1////. Rpt. Ontario Agr. Col. and Expt. Farm, 30 (1904), 

 pp. 62, 63). — Analyses of 7 representative soils from this district are reported. 



Soil investigations, F. T. Shutt (Canada Expt. Firms Rpts. 1904, pp. 145-151). — 

 Analyses of soils from British Columbia, Peace River district, and Ontario are reported 

 and discussed. 



The architecture of the soil of France, O. Barre (L' architecture du sol de la 

 France. Paris: Armand Colin, 1903, pp. III+393,figs. 189).— This book deals with 

 the materials of the soil, its architecture or tectonics and sculpture; and the nature 

 and results of geographic evolution, especially as applied to Central Europe. It 



