SOILS FERTILIZERS. 29 



lbs. of nitrogen per acre, while all the other forms of nitrogen could be applied 

 at the rate of, say 50 lbs. of nitrogen per acre. Then a comparison of the 

 yields would show whether 20, 30, 40, or 60 lbs. of the standard form of ni- 

 trogen were requiretl to give the same yield as the 50 lbs. of the unknown form 

 of nitrogen. The ratio of the quantities giving the same yields would give the 

 relative availabilities. 



" Such a plan would show whether or not the quantities of fertilizers tested 

 were in minimum and thus guard against errors which sometimes occur. The 

 conclusions would also be valid whether Liebig's or Mitscherlich's law of 

 minimum is the correct one. . . . 



" The objection to this plan is that it multiplies the number of plats and so 

 necessitates a larger area for the experiment. It seems better, however, to 

 increase the number of different treatments by two or three, and so increase 

 the accuracy of the whole work. If it is impracticable to test four or five 

 quantities of the standard, or most available fertilizer, at least two quantities 

 should be used, so that it will be evident that the smaller quantity (which 

 can be used for the comparison) is not present in excess of the crop's re- 

 quirements." 



Row fertilizing- experiments, Ahr (Mitt. Dent. Landic. Oesell., 29 (1914), 

 Nos. 7, pp. 94-98; 8, pp. 123-125). — The general outcome of the experiments 

 here reported was that with cereals row fertilizing showed no advantage over 

 the usual method of application. With beets, however, the results were de- 

 cidedly better with row fertilizing. 



Pond fertilizing- experiments, Kuhneet (Monatsh. Landw., 6 (1913), No. 12, 

 pp. 353-371). — Experiments with various fertilizing materials and mixtures to 

 promote the growth of food plants and thus increase the fish product of ponds 

 are reported. 



An incompatibility in fertilizer mixing, T. E. Keitt (Ahs. in Science, n. 

 ser., 39 (19U), No. 1001, pp. 363, 36//).— It is stated that "when basic slag is 

 mixed with muriate of potash or kainit a large proportion of the potash be- 

 comes insoluble in water. The insoluble compound thus formed is very slightly 

 soluble in neutral ammonium citrate of sp. gr. 1.09, and only slightly soluble 

 in citric acid, but is readily soluble in hydrochloric acid of sp. gr. 1.1115." 



Injuries to the cornea by artificial fertilizers, J. Eickmeyer ( Uber Horn- 

 haxitvcrlctzumjcn durch kiinstJivhc Dilngcmittcl. Inaug. Diss., Univ. Rostock, 

 1911; aljs. in Zenthl. Biochem. u. Biophys., 14 (1012), Nos. 3-4, p. 154).— Tests 

 were made with rabbits to verify some clinical findings noted in man as to 

 the effect of artificial fertilizers on the eye. 



Superphosphates were found to produce a slight conjunctivitis and a transient 

 cloudiness of the cornea ; Thomas slag produced a marked conjuctivitis with 

 a transient turbidity of the cornea and residual scars; calcium cj'anamid in- 

 cited a marked neurotic conjunctivitis and also keratitis. When brought on 

 the cornea as a paste these substances showed a marked toxicity. 



The trade in fertilizing materials, M. Lambert (Jour. Agr. Prat., n. ser., 

 27 (1914), No. 7, pp. 214-216) .—This article briefly discusses recent develop- 

 ments in the trade in sodium nitrate, ammonium sulphate, calcium cyanamid 

 and nitrate, phosphates, and potash salts. 



Consumption, production, and commerce in artificial fertilizers in Russia, 

 PiETTRE (Bul. Mens. Off. Renseig. Agr. [Paris], 12 (1913), No. 5, pp. 585-587).— 

 Statistics of consumption, importation, and production during the last ten 

 years are briefly summarized showing that, while the total amount of fertilizer 

 used in Russia is still comparatively small, there has been a remarkable in- 

 -crease both in importation and home production during recent years. 



