382 
The Soil. 
estimated at very nearly 9,000,000 tons, about ^ per cent, 
better than the previous year. In England, where the vast 
majority of this crop is grown, the increase was 0*66 per cent. 
The acreage of Hops again fell last year by 6,017 acres, or 
13-3 per cent, but the produce increased by 96,632 cwt., or no 
less than 25*8 per cent, on the previous year’s produce. 
The yield per acre in 1908 was 12T0 cwt., compared with 
8*33 cwt. in 1907. The best result was obtained in Mid-Kent, 
where the yield per acre was more than double that of the 
previous year, and the rest of Kent, Surrey, and Hants were 
not very far below the yield in Mid-Kent. 
The Hay harvest of the year was for both the kinds of hay 
recorded above the average of the preceding ten years, both in 
England and Wales. In Scotland the “ Hay from Permanent 
Grass ” was above it, while that “ from Clover, Sainfoin, &c.,” 
was below it. In every case, except in that of “ Hay from 
Permanent Grass” in Scotland, the yield per acre was less than 
in the previous year. In England the yield per acre for “ Hay 
from Clover, Sainfoin, &c.,” was 31*93 cwt. per acre compared 
with 33*31 cwt. in 1907, while the acreage had decreased from 
2,738,800 to 2,597,100. This reduced yield was, however, 
1*47 cwt. per acre above that of the preceding ten years. The 
“ Hay from Permanent Grass ” decreased in England from 
27*79 cwt. per acre in 1907 to 25*40, being 0*83 cwt. above the 
average of the preceding ten years, the alternate moisture and 
sunshine of the summer having led to gx*eat expectations, 
which were not entirely fulfilled. 
THE SOIL . 1 
By A. D. Hall. 
Mr. Hall’s book on the soil, the second edition of which 
has recently appeared, came as a boon to every one interested 
in agriculture — the teacher, the student, and the intelligent 
farmer who wishes to know something about the soil he 
cultivates. The first edition has been translated into Italian 
and French, is the text-book at the “ Institut Nationale 
Agronomique,” and at several of the American colleges. 
Mr. Hall lias not confined himself to the usual elementary 
description of soil formation and the methods and results of 
soil analysis, which have formed the text of most writers on 
agricultural chemistry ; he has taken a wide view of his 
subject. 
1 The Soil, A. D. Hall. London : John Murray, May, 1 'JO 8. 6.*. nett, 
pp. 311 + xiii. 
