SOILS FERTIOZEES. . 33 



Field trials with nitrogenous manures from the atmosphere, J. Hendrick 

 {Jour. Soc. Chem. Indus., 30 {lUll), -To. 9, pp. 522-52.'f; abs. iti Chem. Ztff., 35 

 (1911), No. 93, Repei-t., p. 39 Jf). — Comparative tests of sodium nitrate, am- 

 monium sulphate, calcium cyanamid, and calcium nitrate on cereals, extending 

 over several years, are reported and indicate that both calcium nitrate and 

 calcium cyanamid are fertilizers of great value and activity but have certain 

 undesirable physical 'properties wbich affect their suitability for general agri- 

 cultural use. For example, the calcium nitrate readily absorbs moisture, wbich 

 renders it difficult to handle, and calcium cyanamid is so dry and dusty that 

 it is not only unpleasant but in a measure dangerous to handle. Neither is 

 considered well adapted to mix with other fertilizers. 



In the author's experiments calcium cyanamid and calcium nitrate stored 

 in small bags in a cellar gained considerably in weight and with about equal 

 rapidity by absorption of moisture. In case of the former there was a small 

 actual loss of nitrogen. When the calcium cyanamid was mixed with soluble 

 phosiihates there was a large reversion of the phosphoric acid and no loss of 

 nitrogen, but such mixtures hardened after a time. Mixtures of calcium nitrate 

 with other fertilizers ra])idly became damp and sticky. 



On the formation and decomposition of calcium cyanamid, ]M. Eschmann 

 (Uber BUdung tind Zcrsctznng von CaJciumci/aiiainid. Diss. Tech. Hochschule 

 Karlsruhe, J910, pp. 83, figs. 16). — This contains an introduction reviewing 

 previous work on the subject, descriptions of analytical methods used in the 

 examination of calcium cyanamid, experiments in the determination of equi- 

 librium weights, and studies of methods of chemical determination of the decom- 

 position products of calcium cyanamid. 



The relation of nitrate of soda to the mechanical condition of commercial 

 fertilizers, J. G. Lipman (Jour, Indus, and Engin. Chem., 3 (1911), No. 9, 

 pp. 655-6-J7). — Experiments in continuation of those of Cathcart (E. S. R., 25. 

 p. 120) on the loss of nitrogen from fertilizer mixtures containing sodium nitrate 

 showed that " mixtures of acid phosphate, muriate of potash, and nitrate of 

 soda, with or without soil, gained a slight amount of water over the calculated. 

 On the other hand, the corresponding mixtures containing their potash in the 

 form of sulphate lost a slight amount of water in some instances. The differ- 

 ences were not great, however. 



"At the end of 1, 2, and 3 weeks, respectively, 50 lbs. of each mixture were 

 jiassed through a McWhorter fertilizer drill. No difficulty was experienced in 

 drilling the material at any time, but it was noticed that where soil was added 

 to the fertilizer, the mixetl material passed somewhat more rapidly through the 

 drill. A further examination of the mixtures was made at the end of 8 weeks, 

 and it was found then that the contents of the bags could be readily crushed 

 into fairly small particles. 



" In view of the foregoing statements it appears entirely feasible to make up 

 home mixtures of acid phosphate, muriate of potash, and nitrate of soda, a 

 combination that, under average climatic and soil conditions, is sure to give the 

 farmer the greatest amount of available iilant food for the money invested." 



The agricultural value of raw, calcined, and ground mineral phosphates, 

 M. DE MoLiNAKi and O. Ligot {Ann. Oemhlou.r. 21 (1011), No. 10, pp. 516-522, 

 pis. 2). — In continuation of previous experiments (E. S. R., 22, p. 324) 2 

 calcined and ground mineral phosphates were compared in pot experiments with 

 oats on soil and sand with 2 raw phosphates and Thomas slag. There was 

 no increase in yield from the pots receiving calcined and ground phosphates over 

 those receiving the raw phosphate and in neither case was the yield appreciably 

 different from that of pots receiving no phosphate. On the other hand Thomas 

 slag produced very favorable results in increasing the yield. 



