348 
Journal of Agricultural Research 
Vol. XXXI, No. 4 
Table XIV. — Effect of high water table ° on the penetration of mercury in mercuric 
chloride plus sodium chloride solution 
Method 
of 
applica¬ 
tion 
Setl 
1+3 K. 
Set 2 
1+3— 
Sets 
1+3- 
Set 4 . 
1 + 1 —- 
Depth of penetration on succeeding days after 
treatment 
High-water table or otherwise 
1 day 2 days 
Inches Inches 
High-water table.. 
Checks, regular applications 
High-water table. 
Checks, regular applications 
High-water table removed.._ 
High-water table__ 
Checks, regular applications. 
High-water table removed—. 
7 to 8 
7 to 8 
8 - 
High-water table before applica¬ 
tions. 
High-water table after applica¬ 
tions. 
High-water table with applica¬ 
tions. 
8 to 9 
6 + 
6 - 
8 to 9 
6 to 7 
5 to 6 
3 days 
4 days 
6 days 
7 days 
Inches 
Inches 
Inches 
Inches 
C 8M 
9 
« 9 to 10 
9 to 10 
5 to 6 
5 to 6 
5 to 6 
7+ 
7+ 
8+ 
5+ 
6 to 7 
8- 
9- 
8 to 9 
9- 
7+ 
6 to 7 
7 to 8 
8+ 
9- 
8+ 
8- 
d 7+ 
5+ 
6 to 7 
6 to 7 
6 to 7 
Soil 
moisture 
Per cent 
17.9 
17.9 
12.3 
17.3 
12.3 
10.2 
10.6 
10.2 
10.66 
10.66 
10.66 
To simulate a high-water table, tubes of soil were set in beakers and water added to the beakers. Set 1: 
100 c. c. water was added to beakers and soil was treated 20 minutes later, after water line showed 6 inches 
up from bottom. Set 2: 100 c. c. water was added to beakers and soil was treated 15 minutes later. The 
beakers were removed from part of tubes about 24 hours after treatment. Set 3: 100 c. c. water was added 
to beakers; 17H hours later 50 c. c. more water was added to beakers and soil was treated. Beakers were 
removed from under part of tubes next day. Set 4: One lot had 83 H c. c. water added to beakers and was 
tested 2 hours and 40 minutes later. Second lot, soil was treated and water added to beakers 2 hours and 30 
minutes later. Third lot, soil received chemical solution and beakers received water at same time and soil 
received its water application 2 hours later. 
b For explanation of symbols see p. 332 and footnote of Table VII. 
• Each penetration figure given is the average for 3 tubes. 
d Two tubes showed 8 to 9 inches penetration and the other 6 to 7 inches. 
Lateral Penetration in Soil of Mercury in Mercuric Chloride Plus 
Sodium Chloride Solutions 
Sterilization of soil by application of chemical solutions can not 
be accomplished in soil full of stones or other impenetrable obstacles 
unless the chemical reaches all spores in the soil under such obstacles. 
A few tests of such lateral penetration were made with 6-inch flower 
pots, 3^-inch petri-dish bases for obstacles, Leonardtown silt loam 
containing 12 per cent of moisture, and the regular 1 + 1 application 
of HgCl 2 + NaCl solution. Thirty-six pots were partly filled with 
soil, inverted petri-dish bases placed on this soil in a horizontal 
position and the pots filled. In 12 pots the petri-dishes were at a 
depth of 2 inches; in another set of 12 the petri dishes were at a depth 
of 3 inches; and in the third set at 5 inches. The pots were treated 
with 1 per cent HgCl 2 + 5 per cent NaCl at the rate of one-half gallon 
per square foot ana followed by an equal amount of water. Four days 
later the soil was carefully removed from above the petri dishes, 
then the petri dishes were removed and the soil that had been 
protected by the petri dish was tested for the presence of mercury. 
No positive tests were obtained. Owing to the sloping sides of the 
pots a relatively small circle of soil was left uncovered by the petri 
dish even at 2 and 3 inches, while at 5 inches the petri dish almost 
rested on the sides of the pot. 
