First Monograph Published under American Society of Agronomy Auspices

ARLY in June publication of the first of a series of E nionographs prepared under the auspices of the American Society of Agronomy was announced. This marked the realization of plans long in preparation. For a number of years a committee of the Society, initially under the chairmanship of Dr. C. E. Kellogg, gave consideration to the need for authoritative monographs in English in some of the newer fields of agronomic science. The war delayed action in this matter ’ until early 1947 when arrangements were entered into with the Academic Press, Inc., 125 East Third Street, New ‘York IO, N. Y. The first volume was prepared by Dr. C. E. Marshall and bears the title “The Colloid Chemistry of the Silicate Minerals”. Dr. Marshall of the soils department, University of Missouri, is a Fellow of the American Society of Agronomy and was President of the Soil Science Society in 1946. He has been active in research on the clay minerals for many years and his work has been widely recognized. His book is clear, comprehensive, and authoritative, and sets a high standard for the series. A critical review will appear in a later issue of this JOURNAL. The second monograph, now in preparation by a group under the chairmanship of Dr. Byron Shaw, will deal with the influence of physical factors in the soil on plant growth. It is expected that this may be published next spring. Members of the Society may purchase these monographs at a discount if they place their orders directly with the publishers. A prospectus and order blank have been mailed to the membership; new members may obtain them from the Secretary-Treasurer.-A. G. NORMAN. *