626 EXPERIMENT STATION EECORD. 



Ou the basis of the foregoing investigations the author makes the following 

 practical suggestions : 



Lime nitrogen is not adapted for top dressing or to acid soils and can not be 

 recommended for light soils of low absorbent power. 



Unusually heavy applications can not be recommended. In order to avoid 

 dusting, it is recommended that the fertilizer be mixed with soil, though 

 in some cases where there is little or no wind this may not be necessary. 



Lime nitrogen should not be mixed with soluble phosphatic fertilizers, but 

 mixing with potash salts is allowable if desired. The fertilizer . should be 

 appled from 4 to 14 days before seeding, the shorter periods being recommended 

 for the heavy soils, with a longer period of time on light soils. It is recom- 

 mended that the fertilizer be immediately and carefully covered and well 

 mixed with the soil. In view of the fact that cyanamid is less readily absorbed 

 than ammonia, heavy applications of water are not desirable until the trans- 

 formation of the cyanamid to ammonia has taken place. 



New observations on the behavior of nitrate in cultivated soil, J. Vogel 

 (Centbl. Bald, [etc], 2. Alt.. 3.', (1912), Xo. 18-2.2, pp. 5JfO-361; abs. in Chem. 

 Ztg., 36 (1912), pp. IIOJ,, 1105; Jour. Soc. Chem. Indm., 31 (1912). No. 20, 

 p. 1000; Chem. Ahs., 6 (1912), No. 23, p. 3//85).— Previous Investigations 

 having shown that there was a loss of free nitrogen from ammoniacal and 

 nitrate niti'ogen added to soils receiving calcium carbonate (E. S. R., 26, 

 p. 236), the author made further studies to determine the influence of aera- 

 tion of the soil on such loss of nitrogen from nitrates, using per 100 gm. of soil 

 0.32 gm. of sodium nitrate and 0.9 gm. of calcium carbonate. The water content 

 of the soil was kept constant diu-ing the experiment and the soil was placed in 

 shallow layers in porcelain dishes i\iid frequently stirred to provide aeration. 



The results of the first series of experiments seemed to indicate that the 

 loss of niti'ogen in the transformation of the nitrates might be due to evapora- 

 tion of water fi'om oversaturated soil particles. In later trials, however, the 

 evaporation of water from the soil was controlled, but still there was loss of 

 free nitrogen. This loss occurred in all cases where the original water content 

 of the soil was kept constant for a considerable time during the course of tha 

 experiment. A water content of about 15 per cent was sufficient to bring 

 about the transformation. The soil changed in its physical appearance, becom- 

 ing dry and powdery after a few days. 



Apparently the nitrates were transformed suddenly and with great energy, 

 and the resulting sodium carbonate brought about the changed appearance of 

 the soil. The transformation process is thought to be a purely chemical one in 

 which the nitrate nitrogen is in part reduced to lower oxids of nitrogen. 



Influence of organic substances on the decomposition and action of nitrog- 

 enous compounds, Gerlach and Densch (Mitt. Kaiser Willielms Inst. Landw. 

 liroiiibcrc/, .) {1912), No. //, pp. 239-311). — In pot experiments with a loamy 

 soil moderately supplied with organic matter it was found that the addition of 

 easily decomi)osable organic compounds, such as grape sugar or straw, resulted 

 in the conversion of soluble nitrogen salts, like ammonium sulphate and sodium 

 nitrate, into insoluble protein compounds, which, however, were later readily 

 decomposed and assimilated by plants. In soil receiving no applications of 

 organic matter there was a distinct gain in total nitrogen in 2 months. "With 

 additions of grape sugar, straw, ammonium sulphate, and sodium nitrate the 

 results were variable and inconclusive in this respect. 



The action of lime nitrogen and calcium nitrate in the field, Gerlach 

 {Mitt. Kaiser Wilhclms Inst. Landw. Bromherg, .'/ (1912), No. J,, pp. SlS^ioS).— 

 In field experiments with oats, rye, ;ind potatoes lime nitrogen proved distinctly 

 inferior and commercial calcium nitrate about equal to sodium nitrate. 



