732 EXPEKIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Humus in soils, G. d'Utra {Bol. Agr. Sao Paulo, 1. ser., 1900, No. 3, jjp. 152- 

 260). — Analyses of 146 samples of soil from different parts of Sao Paulo, Brazil, show- 

 ing moisture, organic matter, phosphoric acid, lime, potash, nitrogen, and humus 

 are reported and discussed. The humus varied from 0.02-i to 3.11 per cent, the 

 nitrogen from 0.002 to 0.38 per cent, potash from 0.01 to 0.59 per cent, phosphoric 

 acid from trace to 0.36 per cent, and lime from trace to 0.80 per cent. The soils are 

 generally deficient in humus. The percentage of nitrogen in humus showed wide 

 variations. 



On certain conditions affecting the nitrification of soils, J. Neish {Jour. 

 Jamaica Agr. Soc, 4 [WOO), No. 11, pp. 645-631).— \ jjopular discussion of this sub- 

 ject, emphasizing particularly the importance of thorough tillage as a direct means of 

 promoting nitrification. 



Further observations upon the need of lime in Rhode Island soils, H. J. 

 Wheeler and G. E. Adams (Rhode Island Sta. Rpt. 1899, pp. 160-162).— \ brief 

 account is given of 4 cooperative experiments on grasses conducted for the purpose 

 of further studying the lime requirements of Rhode Island soils. "The results 

 obtained in 1899 fully corroborate those of previous years (E. S. R., 11, p. 918), and 

 together they indicate that a need of lime is quite general in Rhode Island soils." 



Preliminary analytical studies of the soils of the Province of Bari, Italy, 

 G. D'ADDiEcio {Staz. Sper. Agr. Ital, 33 {WOO), No. 1, pp. -?5-.^t().— This article 

 includes a classification of the soils of this province, descriptions of samples analyzed 

 and of analytical methods employed, chemical analyses of 9 samples, and general 

 conclusions and practical applications of the results. 



Soil exhaustion, G. E. Stone {Massachusetts State Bd. Agr. Bid. 6, jip. 29-36, 

 figs. 3). — Notes are given on some of the causes of soil exhaustion in ^Massachusetts, 

 and suggestions are made for its restoration. 



The future of desert countries, A. Souleyre {Rev. Sci. Puri.% 4- scr., 14 {1900), 

 Nos. IS, pp. 543-560, figs. 3; 22, pp. 681-68S; 24, p>p. 743-749). 



The weathering and erosion of north, and south slopes, G. Culbertson 

 {Proc. Indiana Acad. Set., 1899, pp. 167-170, fig. i).— Examinations of the slopes of 

 a number of ravines indicate a decided variation in the rate of weathering when the 

 valleys trend from east and west to southeast and northwest approximately, but little 

 difference where the valleys trend approximately north and south. The differ, 

 ences are doubtless due to greater expansion and contraction, and alternate thawing 

 and freezing on the slopes with southern exposure. 



The physical geography of the region of the great bend of the Wabash, 

 W. A. 3IcBeth {Proc. Indiana Acad. Sci., 1899, pp. 157-161, figs. 3, map i).— Discusses 

 the glacial action in this area. 



Studies on the formation of loess, Tutkowski {Scottish Geogr. Mag., 16 {1900), 

 No. 3, pp. 171-174; ul>s. in Bid. Sor. Jhlge deol, 14 {1900), No. 3, p. 180).— This is a 

 discussion, based on geological and soil studies in Russia, of Richthofen's theory 

 of the formation of loess during interglacial or post-glacial periods. The author 

 advances the theory that the formation of loess soUs is due to the desiccating and 

 transporting action of the foehn. He considers as normal loess soils only those 

 which are found in European Russia, North America, and China. The formation 

 of the so-called loess of France and Belgium he believes to be due to other agencies. 

 Iowa geological survey, S. Calvin and H. F. Bain {Ann. Rpt. Iowa (leol. Survey, 

 10 {1899), pp. 666, jjIs. 11, figs. 102, maps 10). — This contains, besides administrative 

 reports, papers on Statistics of mineral production of Iowa in 1899, by S. W. Beyer; 

 The succession of fossil faunas in the Kinderhook beds of Burlington, Iowa, by 

 S. Weller; Geology of Lyon and Sioux counties, by F. A. Wilder; The flora of Lyon 

 County, by B. Shimek; Geology of Osceola and Dickinson comities, by T. H. 

 MacBridc; (ieology of Hardin County, by S. W. Beyer; Geology of Worth Covmty, 

 by I. A. Williams; Geology of Dubuque County, by S. Calvin and H. F. Bain; and 



