SOILS FERTILIZERS, 827 



form of lime nitrogen under Java climatic conditions. The sample experimented 

 with contained 50.89 per cent calcium cyanamid and 17.8 per cent nitrogen. 



It was found that from 91.2 to 94.2 per cent of the nitrogen was soluble in 

 water. The gain in weight when exposed to the air in thin layers was from 

 30.3 to 45.3 per cent and the loss in nitrogen from 1.3 to 2.6 per cent. A chem- 

 ical study indicated the formation of the following products in the stored 

 material: Monobasic calcium cyanamid (CaCCNNH)-) ; dibasic calcium cyana- 

 mid (CNN(CaOH)2) ; calcium cjanamido carbonate (CaC2N202) ; cyanamid 

 (H2CN2) ; dicyandiamid (H4C2N4) ; urea (H4CON2) ; unidentified nitrogen com- 

 pounds; ammonium carbonate ((NH4)2C03) ; and ammonia (NH3). 



In warm, damp climates, like that of Java, which favor the decomposition of 

 lime nitrogen the author recommends that the product be purchased as shortly 

 as possible before using, that it be stored in a dry place, and that as little 

 surface as possible be exposed to the air. 



The production of sulphate of ammonia in the year 1910, C. G. Atwater 

 (Amen Fert., 35 (1911), No. 6, pp. 21-27). — Statistics of production are given 

 and the status of the industry during 1910 is discussed. 



It is stated that the world's production of ammonium sulphate during that 

 year was 1,052,068 metric tons (of 2,204.6 lbs.). Of this England produced 

 374,925 tons, Germany 373,000 tons, and the United States 105,143 tons. Of the 

 total recoverable ammonia England actually recovered 57 per cent, Germany 

 93 per cent, and the United States 17 per cent. England and Germany lead 

 the United States not only in the proportion of recoverable ammonia which 

 they save but also in the rate at which this figure is increasing. " The United 

 States cokes nearly as much coal as both countries put together, yet produces 

 less than one-sixth as much ammonia, and has to import sulphate to make up 

 this deficiency in part in order to satisfy the demands of agriculture." 



The chemical constitution of Thomas slag-, L. Beknardini (Rend. 80c. 

 Chim. ItaL, 2. ser., 2 (1910), pp. 133-135).— This is a brief discussion of this 

 subject, based mainly upon the work of others. 



Note on the occurrence of mang'anese in soil and its effect on grass, F. B. 

 Guthrie and L. Cohen (Jour, and Proc. Roy. Soc. N. 8. Wales, 43 (1909), No. 

 4, pp. 354-360). — This has already been noted from another source (E. S. E.. 

 23, p. 720). 



The function of manganese as a fertilizer, L. Bernaedini (Rend. Soc. Chim. 

 Ital., 2. ser., 2 (1910), pp. 135-131).— TM^ is a brief discussion of this subject, 

 based mainly upon the work of others. 



Mineral resources of the United States, calendar year 1909, — Part II, 

 Nonmetallic products (XJ. 8. Geol. Survey, 1911, pp. 942, figs. 6). — This is the 

 usual detailed report on this subject. The chapters of greatest agricultural 

 interest are those relating to lime, gypsum (E, S. R., 25, p. 218), and phos- 

 phates (E. S. R., 25, p. 217). In these articles the statistics are brought up to 

 the close of the year 1909. 



It is stated that the total production of lime in 1909 was 3,472,852 tons, of 

 which 595,517 tons valued at $1,630,653, was used for fertilizing purposes, and 

 1,904,863 tons valued at $8,390,353, was used for building purposes. A detailed 

 classification of the chemical uses of lime is given. 



Fertilizers, R. E. Rose and L. Heimbueger (Fla. Quart. Bui. Agr, Dept., 21 

 (1911), No. 3, pp. 74-S4, 91-101).— The laws and regulations controlling the in- 

 spection and sale of mixed fertilizers in Florida are given, with notes on valua- 

 tion and tabulated analyses of 208 samples of fertilizers examined during the 

 year 1911. 



