FERTILIZERS. 527 



196 {1900), Feb., pp. 363-378). — The author discusses the influence of winds on the 

 moisture, temperature, and gas content of the soil; on chemical composition; and as 

 a geological agent. — ^p. fireman. 



The humidity of the soil and subsoil in ■wooded and bare steppes in Russia, 

 G. WissoTZKY {Ann. Sci Agron., 1900, II, No. 1, pp. 120-138, figs. 4). — The drying 

 action of forests on the soil moisture is shown in this article, also that there exists 

 in soils what is termed a "dead" zone which is never reached by the percolating 

 rainfall. 



Description of a soil map of the Connecticut Valley, M. Whitney ( [7. S. Dept. 

 Agr., Division of Soils Circ. 7, pp. -^).— This circular describes briefly the conditions 

 in the Connecticut Valley and the soils represented on a map published in connec- 

 tion with a more detailed report on the subject (see p. 522). 



Canadian soils, F. T. Shutt {Canada Expt. Farms Rpts. 1899, jtp. 132, 133). — 

 Anal}-ses of ?> samples of soil, 1 from Manitoba and 2 (virgin and cultivated soil) from 

 New P)runswick, are reported and discussed. 



Economical improvement of exhausted soils, F. T. Shutt ( Canada Expt. Farms 

 Rpts. 1899, pp. 133-137) . — Tliis is a general discussion of this subject, treating of the 

 effect of continuous cropping without the application of manure and the features 

 which characterize partially exhausted soils, including poor texture, deficiency of 

 humus and nitrogen, and sourness and deficiency of lime. 



Reports of the work of the western expedition for the reclamation of 

 marshes, 1873-1898, I. I. Zhilinski {Selsh. Khoz. i Lyesov., 198 {1900), July, pp. 

 2,^9-234) . — This is a review of two reports, aggregating about 1,040 pages, with an 

 atlas containing 77 maps, plans, etc. , published by the Ministry of Agriculture and 

 Imperial Domains at St. Petersburg. The work done by this expedition was con- 

 fined chiefly to that section of European Russia which embraces the governments of 

 Minsk, Grodno, and Volyn. The entire work cost 4,780,000 rubles ($3,680,600).— 

 p. fireman. 



FERTILIZERS. 



On the availability to grass of nitrogen in form of nitrate of 

 soda, cotton-seed meal, and fine, hard bone, E. H. -iKNKiNsand W. 

 E. Britton ( Connecticut State Sta. Rpt. 1899, pt. S.jjp. 197-203).— The 

 experiments here reported were in continuation of those of previous 

 3^ears (E. S. R., 11, p. 722). January 7, 18!>9, nitrate of soda, cotton- 

 seed meal, and raw-knuckle Ijone Hour were each applied to 4 pots 

 seeded to grass, of the series used in the previous experiments, at rates 

 furnishinj^- 0.1333 gm. of nitrogen per pot. The experiments were con- 

 ducted and the yields and nitrogen content of the crop were recorded 

 as in previous years. 



"The yields in 1899 were without exception much less than in 1898. This may 

 have been due to a lack of available potash in the second year, to difference in the 

 amount of sunlight, or to possible change in the mechanical condition of the soil, 

 caused by the watering. 



"The important fact brought out l)y the cultures is that in this soil and under the 

 conditions of our experiment, while the nitrogen of nitrate of soda and cotton-seed 

 meal very largely increased the crop and the crop nitrogen, the nitrogen of fine, 

 hard, raw-knuckle bone had absolutely no effect of this kind. 



"There is no evidence that the fertilizer nitrogen of hard raw bone, applied 2 

 years ago, has yet been assimilated in any amount by grass which has been growing 

 continuously in the soil with it." 

 13411— No. 6 3 



