538 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



385-394, pl- l).—ln previous experiuients the autlior has shown that in certain 

 concentrations calcium cyananiid has a decided antiseptic action. In lower con- 

 centrations, however, a considerahle growth of bacterial flora takes place. 



In the experiments here reported, it was shown that by the action of mici'o- 

 organisms ammonia was formed from the calcium cyanamid, thus agreeing in 

 general with the results obtained by Lohnis (E. S. R., 17, p. 345). It is not 

 considered, however, that this action is a result of a specific function possessed 

 by a determinate form, but is a part of the great process of anunonia production 

 which goes on in soils as a result of the action of innumerable forms of micro- 

 organisms. The author's results differ from those of Lohnis in that he was 

 unable to obtain the complete decomposition of the calcium cyanamid reported 

 by Lohnis in some cases. This discrepancy is thought to have been due to the 

 fact that Lohnis used a method of preparing his liquid media (sterilization by 

 heating in a current of steam) which probably resulted in the formation of 

 dicyandiamid, which very likely is more readily converted into ammonia than 

 the calcium cyanamid. This is a point which demands further investigation. 



Experiments on the fate of the nitrogen of green manures in light sandy 

 soils, VON Seelhorst (Mitt. Dciit. Laiidir. GcselL, 21 {1906), Nos. 28, pp. 

 289-293; 29, pp. 295-299). — The details of experiments on sand in large tanks 

 to determine the balance of nitrogen with different methods of green manuring 

 for various crops are reported. The results, while not considered conclusive, 

 indicate that the greater part of the rather large amount of the nitrogen of green 

 manures which is not utilized by crops on sandy soils is carried away in the 

 drainage, while a smaller proportion is lost by denitriflcation, especially on 

 soils dried out by growth of a crop of cereals. 



Field experiments at Jarville with phosphatic and nitrogenous fertilizers, 

 L. (iRAXDEAU {.Jour. A<n\ Prat., ii. .^cr.. 12 {1906), No. 37, pp. 32.')-.327). — The 

 results of a series of experiments are briefly summarized. These show that bical- 

 cium and monocalcium phosphate gave practically the same results and were 

 about equally profitable. Fine ground mineral phosphates gave much lower 

 yields. Nitrogenous fertilizers in general were about four times as effective in 

 increasing the yield as potassic and phosphatic fertilizers. 



Norwegian nitrate and the culture of corn, L. Grandeau {Jour. Agr. Prat., 

 n. ser., 12 {1906), A'o. 38, pp. 360, 361). — A comparison of normal and basic 

 nitrate of lime, nitrate of soda, and nitrite of lime, each applied to corn at a 

 rate of 45 kg. of nitrogen per hectare (40 lbs. per acre) is reported, the results 

 showing that the nitrates of lime were al)out as efficient as the nitrate of soda 

 and the nitrite of lime somewhat more efficient. 



Nitrite and nitrate as a top-dressing for corn, L. Granoeau {Jour. Af/r. 

 Prat., n. scr., 12 {1906), No. J,0. pp. -'i2l. .'/^3).— This is a brief summary of 

 experiments during 1!»0G at Pare des I'rinces, in which nitrite from Notodden, 

 Norway, and nitrates of soda and of lime were compared. The results show that 

 nitrites applied broadcast at the time of seeding were not injurious and h-id 

 ii fertilizing value for corn equal or superior to nitrate of soda. 



A further contribution to the question of the infl.uence of fertilizing with 

 straw on the yield, C. von Seelhorst {Jour. Ldiuliv., 5^ {1906), No. 3, pp. 

 283-.WI); (ihs. ill Jour. Ohem. Soc. [London], 90 {1906), No. 528, II, p. 702).— 

 Further tank and pot experiments on this subject are reported (see also E. S. R.. 

 ](), p. oS) which were undertaken to study the effect of the depth of applica- 

 tion of straw and strawy manure and of variations in aeration, moisture, and 

 character of the soil on the loss of nitrogen. The experiments were made in 

 tanks IJ meters deep and 1 meter in diameter sunk in the earth, and in ordinary 

 pots. 



