226 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



slopes in western and southern Iowa and is uniformly unproductive. In the older 

 drift areas the soils have undergone more complete weathering and leaching than in 

 the "more recent areas, and consequently are as a rule lighter in color, poorer in 

 soluble constituents, and contain less undecomposed rock. 



The geological origin and general properties of the different classes of soils are dis- 

 cussed and some of the problems which need investigation in connection with each 

 are pointed out. 



Soils, H. Ingle (Transvaal Agr. Jour., 3 (1905), No. 12, p. 731).— Averages of 11 

 samples of virgin soils collected along the banks of the Vaal River are reported, 

 which show nitrogen 0.075 per cent, lime 0.94, phosphoric acid 0.045, and potash 

 0.27. The average of 10 samples collected in the White River Settlement, Transvaal, 

 shows nitrogen 0.093, lime 0.048, phosphoric acid 0.051, and potash 0.20 per cent. 



Some soil analyses, A. Pabdy (Natal Agr. Jour, and Min. Rec, 8 (1905), Xo. 6, 

 pp. 573, 574). — Analyses with reference to total and available constituents, water 

 capacity, etc., of 3 samples of soils from different parts of Natal are reported. 



These analyses show that, "compared with the rich fertile soils of other countries, 

 these are poorly supplied all round with the ingredients desirable in a highly pro- 

 ductive soil. They are deficient in organic matter and are liable to be quickly affected 

 by atmospheric influences — temperature, rain, and drought. The soils are only 

 capable of holding a limited supply of moisture." The use of lime, barnyard manure, 

 and green manures to improve the fertility of the soils is suggested. 



Results obtained in examination of thin layers of soil, A. Delage and 

 H. Lagatu (Compt. Rend. Acad. Sci. [Paris], 140 (1905), No. 23, pp. 1555-1558) .—A. 

 reply to criticisms of previous notes on this subject (E. S. R., 16, p. 756), explaining 

 the practical application of the method as a supplement to mechanical and chemical 

 analyses and in helping to explain the varying assimilability of the potash and phos- 

 phoric acid in different soils. 



Classification and nomenclature of soils according to mineralogical consti- 

 tution, H. Lagatu (Compt. Rend. Acad. Sci. [Paris], 141 (1905), No. 6, pp. 363-366, 

 fig. 1). — Applying the method of mineralogical examination (referred to in the last 

 article) , the author describes more in detail a graphic method of interpreting the 

 results and classifying soils on the basis of their content of lime, clay, and sand. 



Soil temperatures, S. Bloee ( Year Book Col. Agr. and Hort. Holmes Chapel, 1904, 

 p. 29, chart 1). — Weekly averages of soil temperature at the surface and at depths of 

 3, 6, 9, and 18 in. and 3 and 6 ft. at the College of Agriculture and Horticulture, 

 Holmes Chapel, Cheshire, are recorded. Observations on soil temperature are a new 

 feature of the work of the college observatory. It is proposed to trace the relation 

 of soil temperature at varying depths with that of the air above, as well as its bear- 

 ing upon plant growth. 



The percolation of rain water through soils, W. F. Sutherst (Chem. News, 

 92 (1905), No. 2384, p- 49). — The author records the results of observations on the 

 rate of percolation of water through sandy loam, loam, clay loam, heavy clay soil, 

 and garden soil which had been subjected to prolonged drought. For the purpose 

 of the observations the soils were packed in glass tubes If in. in diameter and water 

 was poured on them from time to time in amounts equivalent to 0.1 to 1 in. The 

 slowness of percolation in case of the clay soils indicates that with such soils more 

 than 50 per cent of the rainfall (the proportion given by Lawesand Gilbert) would be 

 lost by evaporation and surface drainage. 



The alkali soils of Montana, F. W. Traphagen (Montana Sta. Bui. 54, pp. 91- 

 121, pis. 5). — This bulletin gives a summary of investigations on alkali soils in Mon- 

 tana and elsewhere, largely from a previous bulletin of the station (E. S. R., 11, p. 

 223), and reports results of pot experiments with alfalfa, oats, wheat, barley, and tim- 

 othy on soils containing varying amounts and combinations of alkali salts. Analyses 

 with reference to chlorin, sodium sulphate, and sodium carbonate of 358 samples of 



