SOILS FERTILIZERS. 728 



"The function of the base in nitrification is to form iimmonium carbonate, 

 which is alone directly nltrifiable, and the facility with which nitrification is 

 set up by different (•arl)onates dei)ends upon the rapidity with which they 

 can react with a neutral annnonium salt to produce aninioniiun carbonate. 

 This reaction is greater with magnesium carbonate than with calcium carbon- 

 ate, but is almost absent with copper carbonate, a result which is not due to 

 a poisonous action on the organism. 



"Ammonium salts and asparagin inhibit the oxidation by Nitrobacter of 

 nitrites to niti'ates, but this action can be largely obviated by (a) abundant 

 inoculation of the organism, (&) allowing the organism to multiply before 

 addition of the ammonium salt or asparagin, (e) inoculating with an organism 

 which has become habituated in previous culture to annnonium salts or as- 

 paragin by gradually increasing the concentration of the latter substances." 



On a new denitrifying bacteriuna isolated from goat manure, J. Hohl 

 {Latuhr. Jdhrb. Hchirriz. 20 (1906), Xo. 9, pp. 510-5L't). — The microscopic 

 characteristics and behavior under various culture conditions of this organism, 

 to which the name Bacillus denitrifieans fltioresceiis y is given, are described. 

 The organism is believed to be distinct from that described by Christeusen 

 under the name of Bacillus denitrifieans fluorescens a. 



Seed and soil inoculation, J. M. Hayman (Rpt. Catcnpore \ India] A(jr. »S7fl., 

 1906, pp. 29, SO). — Tests of Moore's method of inoculation on gram are briefl.v 

 reported. Inoculation had little appreciable effect on the crop, even on soil 

 which was supposed to be free from the organisms peculiar tx> this plant. 

 This is thought to have been due to the fact that leguminous plants of all 

 kinds grow freely throughout the region without artificial inoculation. 



Soil inoculation (Queensland Af/r. Jour.. 11 (1906). Xo. 6, pp. 2'ri-27S). — 

 This is a brief discussion of the utilization of uiti'ogeu of the air by means of 

 soil inoculation as described in publications of this Department and by electrical 

 fixation as i)racticed in Norwa.v by the Birkeland and Eyde process. 



Soil inoculation for leguminosae (Country Life [London], 21 (1907), Xo. 

 526, p. H-'i). — Directions for use of pure cultures in inoculating seed, soil, and 

 growing ci'ops, and statements regarding the success of such inoculation in 

 practical tests in England, Scotland, and Ireland are quoted from a circular 

 jirepared by Professor Bottomley. of Kings College. 



The industrial fixation of atmospheric nitrogen, (i. L. Ragondet (Ann. 

 Gcmhloux, 16 (1906), Xo. 12, pp. 659-690, figs. 2). — A rather complete summary 

 of present knowledge relating to the fixation of atmosj)heric nitrogen in the 

 foi'm of calcium cyanamid and nitrates and nitrites, and the agricultural uses 

 of these materials, is given. 



The fixation of atmospheric nitrogen by electro-chemical means, H. Ingle 

 and I. P.. roLE p:vans (Transvaal Ayr. Jour., 5 (1906) Xo. 11. pp. 131-139).— 

 This is a review of an address before the Society of Chemical Industry by 

 P. A. (iuye. already noted ( E. S. R.. 18. p. 218). 



An arrangement of electrodes for electric ovens for treating gases, K. 

 HiRKEi.AM) and S. Evde (Xoriceoian Patent Xo. 15,106. Oct. 23, 1905: abs. in 

 i'licm. 7A(j.. 30 (1906), Xo. 10.), Kcpcrt, Xo. 51. p. 'il5. fift. 1). — A water-cooled 

 clcctrcMJc is (lescriiied. 



Utilization of atmospheric nitrogen for agricultural purposes ( West 

 Indian Biih. 1 (1906). Xn. .i. pp. 231-250). — This is a review of recent litera- 

 ture OH this subject taken largely from Experiment Station Record and annnaj 

 rejtorfs of the Chemical Society of I-ondon. 



What is the practical value of the new nitrogen fertilizers as shown by 

 the experiments already made? T, -Vlexander (Separate from Wiener Landw. 

 2TU4G— No. 8—07 M 3 



