In exps. on the rate of decomposition, in the soil, of rye varying in N content from 0.64 to 1.83%, the correlation coefficients obtained during the 1st month of the test indicate almost perfect correlation between the % of N in rye and the rate of decomposition of rye at this stage; after 1 mo. the correlation coeffs. become negative (during the 4th month - 0.853 [plus or minus] .0823), showing that the decomposition at this stage is inversely proportional to the N content.