724 EXPEEIMENT STATION RECOED. 



Experiments with new nitrogenous fertilizers, 1908-1911, S. Rhodin 

 (A'. Lamltbr. AJcad. Handl. och Tidskr., 51 (1912), No. 5, pp. 362-382).— 

 These experiments were a continuation of an investigation bj' the autlior 

 commenced in 1903 (B. S. R., 19, p. 220). The effects of fertilization with 

 Norwegian nitrate, sodium nitrate, ammonium sulphate, and cyanamid in 

 connection with other fertilizers were compared on small grains, grass laud, 

 potatoes, and mangels. 



It was found, as the avernge for all trials conducted, that the fertilizing 

 effect of cyauamid measured by the increase in the value of the crops raised 

 was from 68 to 70 per cent of that of sodium nitrate and similar to am- 

 monium sulphate, that of Norwegian nitrate being 96 per cent. The ex- 

 periments, in general, point to the value of cyanamid for the Swedish farmer. 

 While many questions relating to its effects and best methods of application 

 still have to be studied, the results obtained suggest that this fertilizer may 

 prove of great economic value to Sweden as it will tend to make the farmer 

 independent of imported nitrogenous fertilizers. 



Destruction of wild mustard by means of lime nitrogen, H. I.,iPSCHtJTz 

 (Dent. Landio. Prcsse, 39 {1912), No. 68, p. 78//, figs. 3).— To oats, which 

 had been seeded on March 27 and which contained a large admixture of wild 

 mustard, lime nitrogen was applied about the end of April at the rate of 

 about 160 lbs. per acre in the early morning when the dew was on. This 

 application produced some temporary injury to the oats, which was soon 

 overcome, but almost completely destroyed the wild mustard. 



Seaweed, potash, and iodin; A criticism, H. Knudsen (Jour. Indus, and 

 Engin. Chem., 4 (1912), No. 8, pp. 623, 62.'f). — This is a criticism of certain con- 

 cluisions by Cameron (E. S. R., 27, p. 22) regarding the value of Pacific coast 

 seaweed as a source of potash. It is maintained that "a potash industry on 

 the basis of seaweed will first and last depend on the content of iodin in the 

 marine plants," and that "as yet we possess very little of value and very little 

 authentic information to solve the question : ' Is it possible to build up a lucra- 

 tive industry on the abundant growth of seaweed at the Pacific coast?' " 



The extraction of potash and alumina from feldspar, H. W. Foote and 

 S. R. ScHOLES (Jour. Indus, and Engin. Chem., ff (1912), No. 5, p. 377; Chem. 

 News, 106 (1912). No. 2753, p. 106). — Experiments are reported which show 

 that almost complete decomposition of feldspar can be secured by heating it to 

 a temiierature well above 100° C. under pressure with hydrofluoric acid, which 

 seems to act in this case as a catalytic agent. 



The production of available potash from the natural silicates, A. S. CuSH- 

 MAN and G. W. Coggeshall (Ohg. Commun. 8. Internat. Cong. Appl. Chem. 

 [Washington and New York], 5 (1912), Sect. IIIc, pp. 3S-Ii9 ; Jour. Indus, and 

 Engin. Chem., If (1912), No. 11, pp. 821-827). — The various processes which 

 have been proposed for this purpose are reviewetl, particular attention being 

 given to a process devised by the authors in which lime and salt or calcium 

 chlorid are used as the reducing agents in a new rotai-y kiln. 



This process " depends upon a previous treatment before furnaciug, consisting 

 of a method of aggregating or clumping the mix so that chemical contact of 

 the reacting substances is brought about during the subsequent processing. The 

 qualitative and quantitative results obtained on a number of experimental trials 

 on a mill scale of operation are presented and discussed. It is shown that it is 

 possible to economically manufacture a potash fertilizer containing free lime 

 from feldsi)ar and for n sufiioieatly low cost to make an industry based upon 

 the motliod, worthy of consideration." 



Pot experiments with different potash minerals, D. N. PRiANlsiiNtKOv 

 (Landw. Vers. Stas., 77 (1912), No. 5-6, pp. 399-1/11, pis. 5; abs. in Jour. Hoc. 



