SOILS — FERTILIZERS. 623 



A biological method of preserving manure, C. Baethel and S. Rhodin 

 (Detit. Landw. Presse, 39 {1912), Nos. 50, pp. 583, 58.',; 51, pp. 597, 598).— In 

 previous experiments (E. S. R., 18, p. 918) one of tlie authors showed that the 

 loss of ammonia from manure could be reduced by setting up lactic-acid fer- 

 mentation in the manure. In further tests of the method, here reported, it 

 was found that the addition of from 50 to 1CM3 liters of whey to 1,000 kg. of 

 manure (sprinkled on each layer) greatly reduced the loss of ammonia from 

 the manure. The fertilizing efficiency as determined in experiments with 

 potatoes, beets, oats, and rye was only 59 per cent as great for the untreated 

 as for the treated manure. 



Certain relations between the ash constituents of various fertilized plants, 

 G. Leoncini {8taz. Spcr. Agr. ItaL, //5 (1912), No. 1, pp. 55-75; nbs. in Chciii. 

 Zentbl., 1912, I, Xo. 13, p. 10-'f9). — This is a preliminary report giving the results 

 of a (;ousiderable number of analyses of plants fertilized in different ways, from 

 which the author concludes that phosphoric acid is taken up by the plant most 

 readily in presence of calcium and magnesium salts, less readily in the presence 

 of potash salts. 



Utilization of atmospheric nitrogen, T. H. Noeton (U. S. Dept. Com. and 

 Labor, Bur. Manfr., Spec. .4.gents Her., 1912, No. 52, pp. 17% figs. 5; abs. in 

 Daily Cons, and Trade Rpts. [U. S.], 15 {1912). No. 1^9, p. 1309).— Thin 

 monograph describes in detail the present supply of nitrogen, and the scientific 

 and technical features of the various processes which have been proposed for 

 the production of ammonia and nitric acid from the air, as well as the technical 

 and commercial aspects of the new industry which has been established through 

 the practical application of certain of these processes. A short chapter is also 

 devoted to the question of the utilization of coal waste and peat as sources of 

 ammonia. A bibliography of the more imixtrtant papers on the subject is given 

 at the end of the report. 



Discussing the possibilities of employing the new processes under American 

 conditions, the author emphasizes the following points : 



" The synthetic production of nitric acid from the atmosphere is a highly 

 specialized process, dependent for the time being on exceptionally cheap 

 sources of electricity. Many are laboring upon the problem of increasing the 

 output per unit of electric power. Such experiments are most advantageously 

 conducted in connection with the gigantic plants in Scandinavia. 



" The case is different with cyanamid. Here is a product that can be easily 

 produced wherever calcium carbid is manufactured. Its value as a fertilizer 

 becomes more manifest each year. The items of its cost are easily controlled. 

 It is a material from which our stock of cyanids can be economically produced. 

 At present we send abroad annually $750,000 for various cyanids. It is sus- 

 ceptible of application on a large scale in gold mining. In 1910 imports of 

 cyanamid reached $40,000, so that evidently its use in agriculture is recognized. 

 The establishment of cyanamid works at several points on American soil, 

 where water power is relatively cheap and earnest propaganda in connection 

 with the employment of the new fertilizer in farming would constitute an 

 important step in freeing our country from dependence upon foreign sources of 

 combined nitrogen. 



" The same may be said to some extent, but with considerable reserve, in 

 regard to aluminum nitrid. The manufacture of the compound involves even 

 less power than that of cyanamid, and the transformation of the combined 

 nitrogen into the form of ammonia is less expensive than in the case of 

 cyanamid. Granting the correctness of the claims made in favor of this latest 

 66501°— No. 7—12 3 



