In applying the results of these investigations to actual practice the importance of maintaining the composition of the molasses film is emphasized. Dry and cold storage is specially necessary in preventing deterioration. Little benefit results from the practice of disinfecting sacks.

The deterioration of cane sugars in storage; its causes and suggested measures for its control, W. L. OWEN (Louisiana Stas. Bul. 162 (1918), pp. 121).— This bulletin is a complete report of the author's investigations during the past nine years on sugar deterioration, preliminary reports of which have been noted (see p. 509). The subject is discussed under the following topics: Observations upon the changes in the chemical composition of sugar samples in storage, the microorganisms constituting the causative agencies in the changes in the composition of sugars in storage, the influence of the density of the molasses film upon the deterioration of sugars, and the practical application of the results of the investigation to the conditions existing in the cane-sugar industry.

A bibliography of 30 titles is appended.

Manufacturing sorghum sirup, C. E. THORNE (Mo. Bul. Ohio Sta., 3 (1918), No. 7, pp. 213, 214).-Suggestions are given for handling the cane juice and finished product on a small and on a large scale.

Starch from flowering tubers, P. E. VERKADE (Chem. Weekbl., 15 (1918), No. 14, pp. 427-434, figs. 3; abs. in Chem. Abs., 12 (1918), No. 15, p. 1602).— This article discusses the possibilities in the use of materials other than grain for the manufacture of starch. The materials considered by the author to be the most practical for use in Holland are the tubers of the tulip, hyacinth, and narcissus. Individual characteristics of the starch obtained from these sources are described and diagrams are given of their microscopic crystalline forms.

German substitute for jute (Agr. Jour. India, 12 (1917), No. 2, pp. 322-326; abs. in Nature [London], 99 (1917), No. 2493, p. 470).—Materials used in Germany to replace jute fiber in the manufacture of sacks and coarse textiles are briefly discussed. Waste paper and cellulose, previously noted (E. S. R., 38, p. 208), are described as war-time substitutes only, but Epilobium hirsutum and Typha fiber, which are said to have been developed on a commercial basis, are regarded more seriously. The claim is made that the successful production of Typha fiber will render Germany independent of importations of cotton, jute, and wool.

A chemical process of peeling peaches, C. C. NEWMAN and B. FREEMAN (South Carolina Sta. Bul. 196 (1918), pp. 8, figs. 5).—The process consists of dipping the unwashed fruit in a 3 per cent solution of caustic soda and allowing it to remain from 1 to 2 minutes. Following this treatment the fruit is thor oughly washed to remove the loose peelings and all traces of the soda. It is claimed that by this process there is a considerable saving of fruit, the fruit retains all of its original flavor and firmness, and ripe soft fruit and small irregular fruit can be peeled as readily as the better specimens. The process is considered to be simple, sanitary, and economical and can be used successfully in the home, in the small cannery, and in the large commercial cannery. The only precaution necessary is to use only porcelain-lined or wooden vessels.

Scientific research in the canning industry, W. D. BIGELOW (Jour. Franklin Inst., 186 (1918), No. 1, pp. 1–14).—This is a general description of the problems occurring in the canning industry.

Home canning: One-period, cold-pack method, ROBERTA MCNEILL (S. Dak. Col. Agr. Ext. Circ. 4 (1918), pp. 8).-A brief manual of directions.

Evaporation of fruits and vegetables in the home, A. F. BARSS (Oreg. Agr. Col., Ext. Bul. 296 (1918), pp. 3–12, fig. 1). This bulletin describes systems of drying or evaporating and gives directions for the construction and operation of

home evaporators. Supplementary directions for the evaporation of various fruits and vegetables are included.

METEOROLOGY.

A new seasonal precipitation factor of interest to geographers and agriculturists, R. M. HARPER (Science, n. ser., 48 (1918), No. 1235, pp. 208–211).—A preliminary account is given of comparisons of early and late rainfall in the United States and of the suggested climatic soil and plant growth correlations. In making this study "it was found that the most striking results were obtained by taking the difference between the rainfall for April to June, inclusive, and that for August to October, inclusive, the former being good for the crops and the latter bad for the soil."

The data indicate that "nearly all our tornadoes occur in the region of considerable early summer excess of precipitation, and our hurricanes in that of considerable late summer excess, while regions where the difference is not more than an inch or two either way rarely suffer much damage from wind. Both tornadoes and hurricanes usually occur during the period of greatest rainfall in their respective regions. The late summer rains commonly come in the form of showers in the daytime, while the early summer rain is more likely to fall gently and at night....

"The most fertile soils are in the region where there is more rain in early summer than in late summer, and vice versa.... The regions of heavy late summer rain are characterized by poor sandy soils. . . .

66

"The distribution of vegetation types is of course correlated with the soil to a considerable extent," but some correlations between seasonal rainfall and crops are easily made. Alfalfa, wheat, figs, and Upland cotton are not raised much where the late summer rainfall exceeds that of early summer by more than 3 in., while sugar-cane, pineapples, grapefruit, and Sea Island cotton thrive where late summer rains prevail. But of course the soil has a great deal to do with this too."

Further study of halos in relation to weather, H. H. MARTIN (U. S. Mo. Weather Rev., 46 (1918), No. 3, pp. 119, 120).—This article gives the results of various observers in different parts of the United States as well as the author's observations at Columbus, Ohio, and discusses the possible relation between these results and latitude, longitude, and the average cyclonic tracks.

The general conclusion is "that the halo indicates the approach of precipitation only in so far as it heralds the approach of the cyclone. To only the extent that the passage of the cyclone affects the weather at the station is the halo reliable. With knowledge of the condition of the barometer, whether rising or falling, and knowing which direction of the wind most often precedes precipitation, the layman may know what degree of faith to place in the celestial harbingers. . . . The halo is a faithful detector of cyclonic presence; the pressure and wind indicate the cyclone's approach and passage, and a just consideration of these three elements will go far to establish the halo, not as a promise of rain or storm but as a warning that somewhere far to westward a cyclone is advancing. In this point alone the halo excels."

Monthly Weather Review (U. S. Mo. Weather Rev., 46 (1918), Nos. 3, pp. 115-162, pls. 9, figs. 10; 4, pp. 163–206, pls. 10, figs. 8).—In addition to weather forecasts, river and flood observations, and seismological reports for March and April, 1918; lists of additions to the Weather Bureau Library and of recent papers on meteorology and seismology; notes on the weather of the months; solar and sky radiation measurements at Washington, D. C., during March and

April, 1918; condensed climatological summaries; and the usual climatological tables and charts, these numbers contain the following articles:

No. 3.-A Promising Chemical Photometer for Plant Physiological Research, by C. S. Ridgway (see p. 524); Further Study of Halos in Relation to Weather, by H. H. Martin (see p. 511); Remarkable Halo Observed at Nashville, Tenn., March 16, 1918 (illus.), by R. M. Williamson; Solar Halo Phenomena Observed March 16, 1918, at Banners Elk, N. C. (illus.), by T. L. Lowe; Solar Disturbances and Terrestrial Weather (illus.), by E. Huntington (continued); and Breathing Well in California, by N. M. Cunningham.

No. 4.-Absorption and Radiation of the Solar Atmosphere, by S. Hirayama (reprinted abs.); Halo of April 14, 1918, at Columbus, Ohio (illus.), by H. H. Martin; Inferior Arc of 46°-Halo, April 25, 1918, by J. L. Vesper; Elliptical Halos of Vertical Major Axis, by J. B. Dale (reprinted); Real Velocities of Meteors, by C. P. Olivier (reprinted abs.); Visible Weather [Chinook Weather], by R. T. Pound (reprinted); Weather Bureau Observations in Connection with the Solar Total Eclipse of June 8, 1918, by H. H. Kimball and S. P. Ferguson; Solar Disturbances and Terrestrial Weather (illus.), by E. Huntington (continued); Changes in Oceanic and Atmospheric Temperatures and Their Relation to Changes in the Sun's Activity, by F. Nansen (reprinted abs.); Whirlwind of January 26, 1918, at Pasadena, Cal. (illus.), by F. A. Carpenter; Evaporation from a Circular Water Surface, by Nesta Thomas and A. Ferguson (reprinted abs.) (E. S. R., 38, p. 115); Redetermination of Heat of Vaporization of Water, by J. H. Mathews (reprinted abs.); Suggestions as to the Conditions Precedent to the Occurrence of Summer Thunderstorms, with Special Reference to That of June 14, 1914; by J. Fairgrieve (reprinted abs.); and Earthquake Weather.

Meteorological observations, P. VAN DER ELST (Jaarb. Dept. Landb., Nijv. en Handel Nederland. Indië, 1916, pp. 359–361).—Ways in which the meteorological service of the Dutch East Indies may be made more serviceable to agriculture are briefly outlined, and the steps taken to carry some of the recommendations into effect are described. Ecological studies, especially those relating to rice, are to be intensified under the reorganization.

SOILS FERTILIZERS.

Soil conditions and plant growth, E. J. RUSSELL (London: Longmans, Green & Co., 1917, 3. ed., rev., pp. VII+243, figs. 14).-This is a further revision of a work previously noted (E. S. R., 34, p. 321). Considerable alterations have been made in the text and a new chapter on the colloidal properties of soil has been added. The revision is thoroughly up-to-date and is based upon a discriminating selection of the more important contributions to the subject since the previous edition was issued. Some contributions omitted from the former editions are also included. Incidentally the author calls attention to the lack of a suitable name for the subject with which this treatise deals.

Surface geology of Michigan, F. LEVERETT (Mich. Geol. and Biol. Survey Pub. 25, Geol. Ser. 21 (1917), pp. 43-215, pls. 15, figs. 4).—This is a revised reprint of papers which have been previously noted (E. S. R., 21, p. 718; 28, p. 422).

The effect of cattle on the erosion of canyon bottoms, J. T. Duce (Science, n. ser., 47 (1918), No. 1219, pp. 450-452).-From a study of the steep-walled arroyos of southern Colorado the author concludes that their development has been contemporaneous with the development of ranching, and he believes they are due to the wearing of trails and the destruction of vegetation by cattle.

Soil survey of Jasper County, Ga., D. D. LONG and M. E. Carr (U. S. Dept. Agr., Adv. Sheets Field Oper. Bur. Soils, 1916, pp. 43, fig. 1, map 1).—This survey, made in cooperation with the Georgia State College of Agriculture, deals

with the soils of an area of 241,280 acres situated in the central part of the State and lying within the Piedmont Plateau region. The topography is generally rolling, with some hilly and broken areas, together with inextensive "flatwoods" or "glades." Natural drainage is thoroughly established except in the flatwoods.

The soils of the county are mostly residual in origin, being derived from igneous, metamorphic-igneous, and sedimentary rocks of varying composition. Small areas of alluvial soils occur along the streams. Sixteen soil types of 11 series are mapped, in addition to meadow (Congaree material). Davidson clay, Cecil clay loam, Davidson clay loam, and Cecil sandy clay loam predominate, occupying 23.2, 18.3, 17.6, and 15.9 per cent of the total area, respectively.

Soil survey of Box Butte County, Nebr., F. A. HAYES and J. H. AGEE (U. S. Dept. Agr., Adv. Sheets Field Oper. Bur Soils, 1916, pp. 34, pl. 1, fig. 1, map 1).— This survey, made in cooperation with the Nebraska Soil Survey, deals with the soils of an area of 684,800 acres lying near the northwestern corner of the State. The topography of the region ranges from almost flat on the tablelands to rough and extremely dissected in the descents toward the stream beds. Erosion by both wind and water is said to have greatly influenced the topography. The elevation of the county ranges from 3,850 to 4,600 ft. above sea level. Natural drainage is generally well established.

The soils of the county are grouped in respect to origin as residual, alluvial, olian, and miscellaneous. Twelve soil types of 7 series are mapped, exclusive of miscellaneous materials mapped as dune sand, meadow, and rough broken land. Rosebud very fine sandy loam, Rosebud silt loam, and Valentine leamy fine sand predominate, occupying 34.2, 20, and 12.3 per cent of the total area, respectively.

Soil survey of Yates County, N. Y., E. T. MAXON (U. S. Dept. Agr., Adv. Sheets Field Oper. Bur. Soils, 1916, pp. 36, fig. 1, map 1).-This survey, made in cooperation with Cornell University, deals with the soils of an area of 219,520 acres lying in the central part of western New York. The surface varies from undulating or gently rolling in the extreme eastern and northeastern parts of the county to hilly or semimountainous in the southern and southwestern parts. The elevation ranges from 440 ft. above sea level in the northwestern part of the area to 2,110 ft. in the southwestern part. The uplands have fair to good natural drainage, while the bottom lands are poorly drained. The soils of the county are derived chiefly from glacial débris composed of sandstone, shale, and limestone, while areas of alluvial, residual, or cumulose soils are also present. Twenty-one soil types representing 10 series are mapped, in addition to muck and rough stony land. Ontario loam, Volusia silt loam, and Lordstown stony silt loam, occupying 20.9, 17.7, and 12.1 per cent of the total area, respectively, predominate.

On the origin of "terra rossa" (red soil) in Italy, M. GORTANI (Abs. in Internat. Inst. Agr. [Rome], Internat. Rev. Sci. and Pract. Agr., 9 (1918), No. 1, pp. 23, 24; Chem. Abs., 12 (1918), No. 16, p. 1676).-This article reviews various theories of the origin of the red soils of Italy, particularly that of Galdieri. The author's tentative conclusion is that "terra rossa" is the insoluble residue from the disintegration of limestones and dolomites, consisting essentially of hydrates of aluminum generally combined with hydrates of iron and other mineral substances. He, however, believes that more searching investigation of the subject is necessary before positive conclusions can be drawn.

Soil acidity.-I. Its relation to the growth of plants, E. TRʊog (Soil Sci., 5 (1918), No. 3, pp. 169-195).—This paper, a contribution from the Wisconsin Experiment Station, is the first of a series of articles on the subject of soil

acidity. It comprises a detailed consideration of its harmful effects on plant growth as shown by the work of numerous investigators, together with an exposition of the author's theory for the causes of these detrimental influences. The causes, as suggested by the different investigators, have been classified as (1) indirect and general, due to the effect of soil acidity upon the general fertility of the soil, upon the prevalence of plant diseases, and upon the competitive powers of different species of plants; and (2) direct and specific, due to the effect of soil acidity upon the supply of available calcium needed by plants as direct plant-food material, upon the symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria of the legumes, and upon the root tissues of plants. These points are discussed separately, but are deemed an inadequate explanation of the specific causes of the phenomenon.

The thesis is advanced that the injurious effect of soil acidity on certain plants is due primarily to its influences in preventing the plants from obtaining at a sufficiently rapid rate the calcium as the carbonate or bicarbonate which they need to neutralize and precipitate certain acids in the plants themselves, which are thought to be largely by-products following certain vital reactions in the growth of plants. This theory is based upon the assumption that each species of plant has a certain lime requirement, defined as "the actual lime needs of the plant itself, especially as to the ease and rate at which lime must be secured from the soil by the plant for normal growth," and that this lime requirement must be satisfied.

Three main factors are said to determine the lime requirement of a plant, namely, the lime content of the plant, the rate of growth, and the feeding power of the plant for lime. The first two factors operate in one direction, and the third operates in the opposite direction, the resultant of the three giving the lime requirement of the plant. A simple method of expressing these factors and obtaining the resultant is described.

A tabular statement compiled from various sources and showing the lime requirements of 62 species of plants, including a wide variety of field and garden crops and 4 kinds of trees, is presented, together with comparative figures representing the relative response of these plants to the liming of acid soils and their ability to grow on acid soils. "The comparison reveals a close correspondence and hence substantiates the theory which has been proposed that usually the main specific injury of soil acidity is that it prevents plants, especially those with high lime requirements and relatively weak feeding powers, from getting the lime from the soil at a sufficiently rapid rate to meet their needs. This is further substantiated by the parallel relation found between the amount of growth of alfalfa on acid soils and the amount of calcium which could be extracted with carbonated water from these soils. These considerations are specially important in formulating a practical system of using lime, especially as regards the amount to be used which, as is discussed in detail, is dependent on the lime requirement of the crop, the degree of acidity of the soil, and the fertility of the soil."

A list of references comprising 49 titles is appended.

The action of neutral salts on humus and other experiments on soil acidity, L. J. GILLESPIE and L. E. WISE (Jour. Amer. Chem. Soc., 40 (1918), No. 5, pp. 796–813, fig. 1).—In the investigations by the Bureau of Plant Industry of the U. S. Department of Agriculture here reported, "the action of humus on solutions of sodium, potassium, and barium chlorids of different strengths was studied by means of the hydrogen electrode.

"The measurements showed that on the addition of chlorids to humus solutions or suspensions the potential of the gas chain was very considerably