The leaching of water-soluble inorganic substances occurred slowly. The quantity of leached organic matter increased with an increase of temperature; this effect was most pronounced at high temperatures. Important differences in the rate and total amount of organic matter decomposed occurred under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. The pH of a litter extract increased under aerobic conditions, but fell under anaerobic conditions. Decomposition was rapid during the 1st days under anaerobic conditions, but reached only 9% after 480 days. In contrast 11.8% of the dry weight decomposed after only 46 days in the presence of adequate oxygen.