118 NATURE AND PROPERTIES OF SOILS 



for example, while averaging .147 per cent, nitrogen, range 

 from .043 to .539. Louisiana l soils average .049 per cent, with 

 a range from .001 to .109. In muck and peat the amount of 

 nitrogen is much higher, attaining in some cases 3 per cent. 



The following figures indicate the nitrogen contents that 

 may be expected in average soils: 



Table XXIII 



PERCENTAGE OP NITROGEN IN CERTAIN REPRESENTATIVE SOILS 

 OP THE UNITED STATES 



While the ratio between the respective amounts of soil 

 nitrogen and organic matter is no more constant than that 

 between the organic carbon and the organic matter 

 (C X 1.724 = organic matter), it is of some general value. If 



1 Walker, S. S., Chemical Composition of Some Louisiana Soils as to 

 Series and Texture; La. Agr. Exp. Sta., Bui. 177, Aug., 1920. 



- Williams, C. B., et al., Report on the Piedmont Soils, Particularly 

 with Reference to their Nature, Plant-food Requirements and Adapta- 

 bility to Different Crops; Bui. N. C. Dept. Agr., Vol. 36, No. 2, Feb., 

 1915. 



3 Williams, C. B., et al., Report on Coastal Plain Soils, Particularly 

 with Reference to their Nature, Plant-food Requirements and Suitability 

 for Different Crops; Bui. N. C. Dept. Agr., Vol. 39, No. 5, May, 1918. 



4 Robinson, W. O., et al., Variation in tlie Chemical Composition of 

 Soils; U. S. Dept. Agr., Bui. 551, June, 1917. Alway, F. J., and McDole, 

 G. R., The Loess Soils of the Nebraska Portion of the Transition Re- 

 gion: I. Hygroscopicity, Nitrogen and Organic Carbon; Soil Sci., 

 Vol. I, No. "5, pp. 197-238, Mar., 1916. Also, Bennett, H. H., Soils and 

 Agriculture of the Southern States, pp. 332-353 ; New York, 1921. 



6 Averitt, S. D., The Soils of Kentucky; Ky. Agr. Exp. Sta., Bui. 193, 

 July, 1915. 



8 Rost, C. O., and Alway, F. J., Minnesota Glacial Soil Studies: I. A 

 Comparison of the Soils of the Late Wisconsin and the Iowan Drifts; 

 Soil Sci., Vol. XI, No. 3, pp. 161-200, Mar., 1921. 



X 



