282 journal of Agriculture, Victoria. [10 May, 1912. 



Summary. 



1. Nitrification is inactive in these soils while they still contain about 

 three times ni'ore moisture than in their average air-dry condition. 



2. At the lower Imits of moisture less water starts nitrification in sand 

 than in the clay. 



3. At the higher limits of moisture less water stops nitrification in sand 

 ihan in the clay. 



4. While the optimum amount of water probably varies for each soil, 

 and is higher for clay, still for both soils it lies within the range of four- 

 teen to eighteen parts per 100 of dry soil. 



5. A rise above the optimum amount of water is more harmful than an 

 equal fall below it. 



6. If the summer working of fallow land helps to retain water in the 

 surface soil, this water may have a powerful influence upon the produc- 

 tion of nitrates for the next crop. 



7. A growing crop may reduce the nitrate supply for the next crop in 

 two ways — it may use up all the nitrates actually present, and it may so- 

 dry the land that nitrification in the interval between crops is reduced to a 

 minimum. 



8. The moisture requirements for nitrification suggest that in dry- 

 seasons a single flooding of fallow land might be follow^ed by good results. 



THE PORT OF HULL AS A DISTRIBUTING CENTRE 

 FOR AUSTRALIAN PRODUCE. 



By Austin Wilson, Special Trade Commissioner, Port of Hull, England. 



The object of my visit to Australia is to supplement the efforts of our 

 agent, Mr. E. Bechervaise, of Geelong, in endeavouring to arouse interest 

 in the Port of Hull, and to bring before the notice of growers and shippers, 

 of Australian produce the special advantages, which this port offers in 

 the way of facilities, for reaching the .British consumers in the densely 

 populated northern and ni'dland counties of England. History records 

 that in the year 1296 King Edward I. granted Hull its first charter; and 

 the city was named Kingston (or Kingstown)-upon-Hull. In all legal 

 and official documents it still bears this name, although in general use it 

 has been shortened to Hull. Modern Hull is the largest port on the north- 

 east coast of England, and is situated on the north bank of the Humber 

 estuary. This estuary is formed by the confluence of the Rivers Ouse, 

 Trent,' Aire and Calder, and Hull, and has a wide and deep channel leading 

 directlv to the sea. Outside the Alexandra Docks there is 40 feet of water 

 at low' tide in the channel, and the port is therefore accessible to large 

 steamers at any time. 



The decks cover a river frontage of about 6 or 7 miles and are up-to-date 

 and well equipped At present a new dock and deep-water quay, both- 

 of which will be available this year, are being built. The new dock when 

 fully completed will be the largest commercial dock in the world, having 

 a water area of 85 acres, and will be equipped with all the best modern 

 appliances for dealing- with ships and their cargoes. At the deep-water 

 quay, steamers will be able to come alongside at any state of the tide to- 

 discharge or load. Coaling appliances capable of delivering 600 tons per 

 hour are already installed on this quay and are in daily use. 



