SOILS FERTILIZERS. 525 



Two little known fertilizers, I^. Ledoux {Jour. Soc. Agr. Barbant et Hainaut, 

 55 (1910), \o. 1, pp. 8-10). — The composition and fertilizing value of pre- 

 cipitated phosphate, ammoniated and unammoniated, are discussed. It is 

 stated that precipitated phosphate contains from 28 to 34 per cent of phos- 

 phoric acid soluble in alkaline ammonium citrate and that ammoniated precipi- 

 tated phosphate contains nearly the same amount of citrate soluble phosphoric 

 acid and from 5.25 to 6 per cent of ammoniacal nitrogen. 



Tests of the fertilizing value of these phosphates in comparison with other 

 phosphatic fertilizers by various investigators are reviewed, the results indi- 

 cating that the precipitated phosphate is practically as efficient as super- 

 phosphate. 



Basic slag and potash for chalk land, J. Hughes (Field [London], II4 

 (1909), No. 297.'/, p. IlJi6). — Chemical examinations of 2 samples of soil from 

 the Sussex chalk downs, one of which had been fertilized with phosphatic slag 

 and potash and the other not so treated, are reported. The principal difference 

 indicated by the analysis was the higher percentage of organic matter in the 

 fertilized soil, and this is thought to explain the fact that this soil was greatly 

 benefited by the application of a fertilizer like slag, containing a large amount 

 of lime, when the soil already contained a high percentage of this constituent. 



What is kainit? P. Krische (III us. Laiidw. Zty., 29 ( 1909), Xo. 92, p. 855).— 

 It is stated that 'natural and commercial kainit are very different materials. 

 The formula formerly given to the natural salt was K2SO4. MgSOi. MgCL-. 6H:0, 

 containing 12.4 per cent of potash. As a result of Van't Hoff's investigations 

 the formula KCl. MgS04. 6H2O is now assigned to that salt. 



Commercial kainit is stated to be either a mixture of natural kainit and rock 

 salt, or muriate of potash, kieserite, and rock salt, or, occasionally, muriate 

 of potash and rock salt, with a minimum potash content of 12.4 in the form of 

 chlorid. It should not contain more than 6 per cent of chlorin soluble in 96 

 per cent alcohol. 



The position of nitrate of soda (Mark Lane Express, 103 (1910), No. 4085, 

 p. 35). — As a result of a review of the annual circulars and statistical reports 

 of the leading dealers in nitrate of soda it is stated that " the salient features 

 in the course of the industry are (1) tlie failure up to the present time of the 

 negotiations to renew the combination between the producers which came to an 

 end on March 31, 1909; (2) the consequent and continued fall in price of the 

 commodity; (3) the increased consumption all over the world, especially in 

 the United States of America." 



The production of nitrate of soda in 1909 is given as 2,067,000 long tons, an 

 increase of 6 per cent over that of 1908. The total consumption was 1,929.000 

 tons, of which the Continent of Europe used 1,354.000 tons, the United Kingdom 

 111,000 tons, the United States 398,000 tons, other countries 66,000 tons. The 

 figures for consumption in the United States represent an increase of 89,000 

 tons over those for 1908. The prospect of increased prices for nitrate is 

 discussed. 



Experiments on the action of nitrite nitrogen in various new fertilizers, 

 Gerlach (Illus. Landw. Ztg., 29 (1909), No. 97, p. 895). —The results of pot 

 experiments with oats, mustard, and carrots, comparing the fertilizing value of 

 nitrate of soda, nitrite of soda, and Norwegian nitrate containing a certain 

 amount of calcium nitrite, indicated that the nitrite has a distinct fertilizing 

 value and may be used in as large amounts as nitrate of soda without injurious 

 effect. 



Oxidation of atmospheric nitrogen, F. IIaber and A. Koenig (Ztschr. EUk- 

 trochem., 16 (1910), No. 1, pp. 11-25). — ^This is a review of scientific investiga- 



