MAY 1911.] T, TAKEUCHL—ON THE TREAT. OF SOILS BY CAR. BIS. 129 



nesia were determined after Katayama's miethod^ and found 

 CaO=0.64^, MgO==0.21^. 



This analysis is quite instructive in several ways. In the 

 first place it shows that there is enough humus to insure a 

 good absorptive power of the soil. In the second place the 

 nitrogen content is shown to be high, inasmuch 0.3 ^ cor- 

 respond to a depth of 10 cm. and a surface of a hectar=2250 

 kilos. But to the largest part this nitrogen is not directly 

 available. The content of P2 O5 and K2 is only moderate. 

 The content of FeO (besides Fe2 O3 ) is suspicious and may 

 indicate the presence of reducing bacteria, which under certain 

 conditions can exert a noxious action on the roots. Also 

 the high content of silica soluble in sodium carbonate is of 

 a certain interest. As to the content of lime and magnesia, 

 the figures show a favorable lime factor for various crops. 



In my first experiment four plots each of 1 sq. metre 

 surface and svtrrounded by wooden frames were selected and 

 the following manure applied, per plot : 



Compost 562 g. 



Superphosphate of lime .... 20 g. 

 Wood ash 20 g. 



It was intended to observe the first year the effect of the 

 most favorable conditions, hence the manure. In the following 

 years there will be no manuring, to observe also the effect of 

 carbon bisulphide in this case. 



In the first plot 8 holes were made, each receiving SOc.c. 

 bisulphide of carbon whereupon each hole was filled at once 

 with earth. Finally water was poured on the surface to close 

 the pores and then the soil was trodden. This application 

 was made 30 days before sowing. At that time also potassium 

 permangnate solution highly diluted was applied, plot No. 2 

 receiving 200 g., plot No. 3 only 50 g. of this salt. Plot No. 

 4 served as check. 



3. Cf. Bulletin, College of Agriculture, Tokyo, Vol. VI; p. 104. 



