354 
Journal of Agricultural Research 
Vol. XXXI, No. 4 
Penetration of Qua-sul 
Qua-sul is a proprietary alkaline sulphur compound said to have 
given good results in various types of treatments. Enough 1 per cent 
solution of Qua-sul was supplied to six tubes of potting soil to secure 
about 50 c. c. of percolate irom each tube. All tests for sulphur in 
this percolate were negative. The soil columns were 13 to 14 inches 
high and about 3 gallons of solution per square foot was used to 
secure the percolate desired. 
Penetration of Alcohol 
Ordinary grain alcohol was diluted to 47 per cent alcohol and 
supplied for six tubes of potting soil until about 50 c. c. of percolate 
was obtained from each tube. The soil columns were 13 to 14 inches 
high and about 3 gallons of solution per square foot was used to secure 
the percolate desired. A strong positive test was secured in the 
percolate from each tube. 
Penetration of Kerosene 
The penetration of kerosene was tested, using Leonardtown silt 
loam with varying amounts of moisture from air-dry to 21 per cent 
moisture. The data from these experiments have been assembled in 
Table XIX. It will be seen that in air-drv soil the penetration of 
kerosene applied at the rate of 1, 2, or 4 quarts per square foot is little 
better than the penetration of an equal amount oi water; In soil 
containing 10 per cent of moisture the penetration nearly doubled. 
Further marked increases in penetration are shown at 13, 15, 16.4 
per cent of moisture. In soil containing 19 to 21 per cent of moisture 
the penetration of kerosene applied at the rate of 1 pint per square 
foot is equal to the penetration of 1 gallon of kerosene or of water in 
soil containing 1.83 per cent of moisture, and is equal to the penetra¬ 
tion of 1 gallon of a water solution in soil containing 19 per cent of 
moisture. The penetration of 1 quart or more of kerosene in soil 
containing 19 per cent or more of moisture was not determined as it 
exceeded the height of the soil columns. 
Table XIX.— Penetration , in inches , of kerosene in Leonardtown silt loam on 
successive days and with different soil moistures 
Soil 
moist¬ 
ure 
Application 
per square 
foot 
1 day 
after 
treat¬ 
ment 
2 days 
after 
treat¬ 
ment 
3 days 
after 
treat¬ 
ment 
4 days 
after 
treat¬ 
ment 
5 days 
after 
treat¬ 
ment 
6 days 
after 
treat¬ 
ment 
7 days 
after 
treat¬ 
ment 
8 days 
after 
treat¬ 
ment 
11 days 
after 
treat¬ 
ment 
Per cent 
Quantity 
Inches 
Inches 
Inches 
Inches 
Inches 
Inches 
1 Inches 
! Inches 
Inches 
1.8 
1 quart_ 
*2% 
2ty# 
8 M 
3 
l 
1 
1.8 
2 quarts_ 
4H 
5% 
_ 1 _1_ 
1.8 
4 quarts_ 
8 H 
9 
9 
8$ 
To bottom in some tubes. 
10 
1 pint__ _ 
2 H 
2H 
10 
1 quart___ 
4.9 
4.9 
12 
1 pint_ 
6— 
5— 
7 to 8 
4+ 
12 
1 quart-_ 
8 to 9 
9— 
10 to 11, 
8+ 
13 
1 quart_ 
m 
6 y 2 
Ws 
15 
1 pint_ 
6+ 
7+ 
7+ 
8+ 
i 
16.4 
1 quart_ 
10- 
10+ 
11- 
11- 
19 
1 pint_ 
8 % 
8 U 
9*4 
19 
20.8 
1 quart... 
1 quart_ 
11 to 12 
12+ 
10 to 11 
11 to 12+ 
10 to 11 
11 to 12+ 
10 to 11 
10 toll 
> All penetrated to bottom. 
( 6 ) 
1 quart__ 
10+ 
13 to 14 
13 to 14 
12 to 13 
( b ) 
2 quarts 
13 to 14 
13 to 14 
13 to 14 
13 to 14 
( b ) 
4 quarts_ 
13 to 14 
13 to 14 
13 to 14 
13 to 14 
! 
v Each figure is the average of 3 tubes. 
b These tubes were saturated with water and then drained before kerosene was added. 
