622 EXPERIMENT STAI'IOX RECORD. 



calcium cyananiid duo to chanf^es wliicli that compound underlies in the soil 

 under chemical or hiological action. The author states that calcium cyanamid 

 can be used to better advantage on potatoes and on cereals than on beets, the 

 potato beinj? especially benefited by ammonium compoimds, the beet by nitrates. 

 The cyanamid is not considered at all suited for acid humus soils and lif?ht 

 sandy soils. 



The electrochemical manufacture of nitric acid and nitrogen compounds 

 from the air, J. Escauu {La Fabrication, Ehclrochimique de rAcide Nitrique 

 If des C(>iiii)()f«'s Nitr<''s a l\Aide dcs JJIvincHt.s de VAir. Paris, JD09, 2. cd., pp. 

 1J5, figs. 52). — This treatise reviCMs IJic industrial and economic importance of 

 nitrogen comi)ounds, the exhaustion of known nitrate deposits, technical con- 

 siderations relating to the role of electricity in the electrochemical preparation 

 of nitric acid, methods used, ]tarticularly the Birkelaud and p]yde process for the 

 preparation of calcium nitrate and the various processes proposed for the 

 preparation of calcium cyanamid, and high yielding niter beds. The various 

 steps in the preparation of calcium nitrate and calcium cyanamid, the increase 

 in the use of nitrate of soda since 1830, and the comparative use of nitrate in 

 different European countries are shown diagrammatically. Attention is also 

 called to the proposed utilization of peat, not for the dii'ect production of 

 nitrates, but for the pi'oduction of energy and by-products by distillation. 



The nitrate industry of Norway, L. Grandeau (Jour. Agr. Prat., n. ser., 

 19 (1910), No. 2, pp. -'i-'i-Ji(i). — This article summarizes briefly the latest infor- 

 mation with reference to production, fertilizing value, properties, and cultural 

 use of calcium nitrate as manufactured by the Birkeland and Eyde process at 

 Notodden, X< )rway , 



[Manufacture of nitrate in Norway] (Engrais, 2.5 (1910), No. 3, pp. 79- 

 81). — Data are given i-egarding the present status of this industry. 



Production, properties, and use of the principal potash salts, P. Krische 

 (^fitt. Dent. Laiidn: GcsclJ., 25 (1910), Nos. 2. pp. 20, 21; 3, pp. 33-36).— The 

 different potash salts mined and used in Germany are described with data as 

 to production, consumption, and price. 



Kainit, its production, properties, and importance in German agriculture, 

 P. Krische (Fiiliting's Landw. Ztg., 58 (J 909), No. 2//, pp. S90-S97).— Statistics 

 are given of the consumption of potash in Germany, the kainit and associated 

 salts in natural potash deposits are described, and the market price of kainit 

 as compared with other salts is discussed. 



Thomas and Martin slags, A. Otruighan'ev (Zhur. Opuitn. Agron. (Russ. 

 Jour. E.i-pt. Landic), 10 (1909), No. 5, pp. 609-659, figs. 5).— Results of several 

 years' pot and field experiments with these slags in comparison with other 

 phosphates. showed that Thomas slag is a very effective fertilizer for the 

 lighter soils, on peat, and in general, on more or less acid soils. In these cases 

 it was more effective than superphosphate. The slag acts more slowly than 

 superhposphate and not infrequently exerts almost no influence on the first 

 crop, but acts more strongly on the second, third, and often later ci-ops. It is 

 especially suited to use on meadows, on winter rye, and on cereals followed 

 by grasses. For summer cereals superphosphate is considered in general more 

 suitable. Martin slag gave results somewhat inferior to those obtained with 

 Thomas slag. 



The process of making these slags is described and analyses of the materials 

 used and the products obtained are given. 



Something new in the field of phosphatic fertilizers, A. Menozzi (Agr. 

 Mod., 15 (1909), No. 52. pit. 715-718). — The novelty in question is calcium 

 pyrophosphate, made by heating raw phosphate with sulphur dioxid m the 



