HAKMFUL EFFECTS OF ALDEHYDES IN SOILS.. 19 



obtained harmful to the seedling wheat. Soil No. 8, Table X, was 

 the raw soil as it was hauled from the field prior to the incorpora- 

 tion of manure in preparation for greenhouse use. No aldehyde 

 could be detected in this soil, nor did such residue as was obtained 

 show any harmful effect. 



Soil No. 11, Table IX, the poor sample of Miami stony loam, 

 contained aldehyde, and the depressed growth obtained is shown in 

 Plate VI, figure 1, together with the effect of the identically ex- 

 tracted good field sample. The latter showed no aldehyde reac- 

 tions, but as seen from the photograph it was, nevertheless, some- 

 what harmful — a fact which is recorded in Table X under No. 41. 



Soil No. 12, Table IX, the Ontario loam, poor, from Oneida County, 

 N. Y., together with its good companion sample, recorded as soil No. 

 42 in Table X, presents an interesting story. In 1907 both fields 

 were poor, unproductive soils. Both fields were manured heavily 

 every year. One field responded to this treatment, the other did 

 not. 



The field now good, represented by soil No. 42, Table X, grew corn in 

 1907 and produced a poor crop. In 1908 the field was manured and 

 planted to oats, giving a good yield. It was manured every year 

 after this. In 1909 and 1910 hay was grown with good results, 

 the largest crop being in 1910. In 1911 an excellent crop of corn 

 was grown, and in 1912 oats were again grown with good yields. 



The other field represented by soil No. 12, Table IX, was in meadow 

 in 1907 and gave poor yields. In 1908 the field was manured and 

 planted to corn, which failed entirely. It was manured every year 

 after this without good results. In 1909 oats were planted, but 

 made very little growth. In 1910 and 1911 grass was sowm and 

 gave poor results. In 1912 the soil was heavily manured and again 

 planted to corn. The yield of stover was very poor, and no grain 

 was formed. 



The laboratory examination of the two soils showed them to be 

 neutral in reaction. The good soil gave no reactions for aldehydes 

 when extracted for this purpose, but the extractive material was 

 slightly harmful. The poor soil, however, gave considerable amounts 

 of aldehyde material, and this was distinctly harmful to the wheat 

 seedlings, reducing growth 28 per cent. 



Soil No. 15, Table IX, the Salt Lake clay, is from a poor spot 

 in an otherwise good field. The remainder of the field is represented 

 by soil No. 51, Table X, and was collected about 35 feet from the poor 

 spot. The color of the soil in the poor spot is light gray, while the 

 good soil is gray with a pink tint. This spot is generally bare and 

 seldom produces a crop, while the remainder of the field is very 

 productive, yielding from 20 to 30 bushels of wheat per acre. The 

 drainage in the poor spot is poorer than in the remainder of the 



