g40 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



The soil of Gascony, L. A. Fabre (Geographie, 11 (1905), Nos. ), pp. 257-284, 

 figs. 6; 5, pp. 343-358, figs. 3; 6, pp. 413-434, figs. 3).— This deals with topogra- 

 phy, geological origin and formations, the Gascon regime (including meteor- 

 ology", etc.), geographical conditions,. morphological evolution, coal deposits and 

 their physiological relations, and economic and sociological conclusions with 

 reference to the protection of the mountain soils. 



Some observations on humus soils, G. Salomone (8taz. Sper. Apr. Ital., 38 

 (1905), No. 7-8, pp. 696-704; abs. in Chem. Centbl., 1905, II, No. 26, p.J.819).— 

 The formation of humus out of plant remains is described and the composition 

 of humus soils made with leaves of various kinds of trees is given. 



Marsh soils, F. Schucht (Jour. Landw., 53 (1905), No. '/, pp. 309-328; abs. 

 in Chem. Centbl., 1906, I. No. 1, p. 11). — The results are given of mechanical 

 and chemical studies of a large number of marsh soils with reference to the 

 present character and the changes which the soils have undergone under the 

 influence of weathering. The conclusion is reached that calcium carbonate is 

 the constituent of marsh soils which gives the most reliable indication of the 

 stage of weathering which the soils have undergone. It is possible by means 

 of a study of the extent to which this constituent has been removed to approxi- 

 mate the geological age of the marsh. 



Swamp soils, R. Harcourt (Ann. Rpt. Ontario Agr. Col. and E.rpt. Farm, 31 

 (1905), pp. 82-86).. — This is a brief discussion of the origin and properties of 

 such soils based upon investigations carried on by the author during the past 

 3 years. 



The effect of different soils upon the composition of crops, W. P. Gamble 

 (Ann. Rpt- Ontario Agr. Col. and E.rpt. Farm, 31 (1905), pp. 93-100). — The 

 ash constituents of oats grown in pots filled with surface soil and under normal 

 conditions on a field plat are compared, and the results are summarized as 

 follows : 



"(1) The largest percentage of mineral constituents (ash) was found in the 

 oats grown upon the surface soil. Two reasons are given for this increase — 

 . a i tlie supply of moisture was perhaps more uniform with the pot-grown 

 plants, and (b) the soil in the cans was freely exposed to the heat of the sun, 

 nnd more plant food was thereby made available. 



"(2) There was a higher percentage of silica in the pot-grown oats than in 

 the field-grown grain. According to some experiments that have been con- 

 ducted to ascertain the function of silica, it does not appear to be essential 

 for growth and proper development. Large quantities, however, are used by 

 some plants. 



"(3) Phosphoric acid, one of the most important constituents of plants, is 

 found in larger quantities in the field samples. Calcium and magnesium may 

 also be noted in the same connection. The subsoil may have influenced this 

 increase. 



"(4) The pot-grown plants contain the largest proportion of potash. The per- 

 centage of potash is much higher in the straw than in the grain, while with 

 phosphoric acid the opposite is the case." 



Physical analysis of soils, J. B. Reynolds (Ann. Rpt. Ontario Agr. Col. and 

 Expt. Farm, 31, (1905), pp. 27-29.) — The general physical properties of soils 

 are briefly discussed in this article and the principal results of physical analysis 

 of 42 samples of soil from the Abitibi district of Canada are summarized. 



About 5 per cent of the soils analyzed seemed to be composed entirely of 

 clay with little or no admixture of coarse particles, 39 per cent contained from 

 15 to 25 per cent of coarse or fine quartz particles, and 19 per cent from 25 

 to 40 per cent of sand and silt. Fifteen per cent of the samples were classed as 



