The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-08-27
Today S Science
BY DAVID DIETZ =

FT~HAT many bacteria are the enemies OF mankind
i is wel-known and many men have won medals
and decorations for their courage in combating ana
spying upon these hostile microbes. But there are
other microbes which are the friends of man and
This week the announcement has been made Of the
award of medal to a scientist who mas devoted ms
time to the study of these friendly germs.
Columbia university has just announced the
award of the Chandler medal, one Of the highest
honors in the world of chemistry, to Dr. JACOB
Coodale Lipman dean of agriculture at Rutgers uni
versity and director OF the new Jersey agricultural
experiment station.
DR.. Lpman, of the worlds best known agTi-
cultural chemists given the medal chiefly be-
cause of his work to determine the chemical acuon
of the bacteria contained soils native of Lat
VIA Dr. Lipman began his study Of the science OF
soils on New Jersey farm
The medal will be formally presented to him at a
concave of leading scientists at Columbia university
Farmers appreciate the Importance Of the ma
ture of soils. City dweers unless they are garden
enthusiasts, usually do not have so keen an appreca-
ton of the situation
DR LIPNAN has studied the complex relations
- ships between growing plants the constituents
of the soils in which they grow, and the role OF the
bacteria in the soil.
His work on the determination of the nature Of
the chemical action produced by bacteria in making
both organic and inorganic components of soils
available for plant food had been of great impor-
lance TO agriculture all over the world, according TO
the announcement of the medal committee Of which
Professor A. w. HlXsOn Is chairman.
He introduced certain conceptions in the field
of soil archaeological chemistry that have been
shown to be fundamental in the practical handling
of soils.
His researches on the utilization Of nitrogen by
plants especially upon the soil reactions that influ-
ence the availability of nitrogen to plants are OUT
standing contributions.
He did noteworthy work the problem OF
sweetening salt marshes. His chemical studies OF
the peat and muck deposits Of New Jersey have en-
abled that state to develop large commercial humus
industry"
DR LIPMAN'S parents were both natives OF Vne
- Baltic region, coming from province which IS
now part Of the republic Of Latya. He was educated
in Russia The family moved 10 the United States
in 1888.
His father purchased a farm in Cape May county,
New Jersey, and young Lpman had three years OF
experience as farmer before entering Rutgers COL
lege in 1894.
In 1901 he organized the department OF soil chem-
istry and bacterology for the state Of New Jersey,
in 1911 he was made director Of the New Jersey ex-
pertinent station and in 1915, he appointed dean
Of the college Of agriculture at Rutgers university
Dr. Llpman has represented the United States
at international congresses dealing with agriculture
and related subjects He elected the first presi-
dent of the International Society Of Soil Science and
was president of the first international Congress OF
Social Science, held in Washington in 1927.