SOILS KKH riLlZHKS. 121 



thus showing the unreliability of conclusions based upon a single year's 

 experiments. 



Lime and nitrate of soda in beet culture, J. Stoklasa (Bh Zuclcerriibenha u, 

 16 {1909), Xo. 2, pp. n~2J; abs. in Chem. Ztg., 33 {1909), No. 21, Repcrt., 

 p. 97). — The comparative experiments reported show that nitrate of soda gave 

 not only a greater yield than nitrate of potash, but also a greater sugar con- 

 tent. This is ascribed to the fact that the sugar beet belongs to the Cheno- 

 podiacete, which are soda-loving plants. However, there was no evidence that 

 soda was able to replace potash to any considerable extent as a plant food. 



Lime nifer and calcium cyanamid, H. von Feilitzen {Svenska Mosskul- 

 turfor. Tidski:, 23 {1909), Xo. 1, pp. 57-70, pis. 6; Mitt. Vcr. Ford. MoorkuUur, 

 1909, No. 1-2; abs. in Jour. Chem. Soc. [London], 96 {1909), No. 557, II, p. 

 261). — This paper contains a report on trials of these fertilizers with oats, 

 potatoes, hemp, and grass on moor soils and sandy soils during the season of 

 190S. Good results were obtained in all cases. 



A note on calcium cyanamid, H. von Feilitzen {Chem. Ztg., 33 {1909), 

 No. 29, p. 26Jf; abs. in Ztschr. Angew. Chem., 22 {1909), No. 15, p. 687; Chem. 

 Zentbl., 1909, I, No. i-J, pp. 1202, 1203). — Examinations of samples received 

 directly from the factories in Norway and elsewhere showed the presence of 

 considerable amounts of undecomposed calcium carbid. The average percentage 

 of nitrogen in the material examined was 19.39. 



Nitric acid manufactured from atmospheric nitrogen, J. A. Fries {Ann. 

 Rpt. Penn. Dept. Agr., 13 {1907), pp. JfOS-Jjlo). — This is a brief account of 

 progress in the manufacture f calcium cyanamid and basic lime nitrate. 



Methods of preparing- amr )nia and transforming it into nitrates, O. Dony- 

 Henaclt and H. Gall {Rev Electrochim. et Electrometal., 3 {1909), No. 2, 

 pp. 39-Jj3). — This is a brief review of the development of electro-chemical 

 processes for this purpose. 



Investigations on intensive nitrification and on high-yielding niter beds, 

 MtJNTZ and Laine {Man it. Sci., //. scr., 22 {190S), I, Nos. 796, pp. 228-2-^8, fig. 1; 

 797, pp. 308-320; II, No. 799, pp. Jt35-J,J,8, figs. 3; abs. in Chem. Zentbl., 1908, 

 II, No. 9, pp. 817, 818). — This is a detailed account of investigations which have 

 already been referred to (E. S. R., 19, p. 524). The authors first discuss the 

 conditions favoring nitrification and especially the influence of organic sub- 

 stances and temperature on the nitrification of ammonia salts in different soils. 

 The construction of niter beds for the rapid nitrification of organic matter is 

 then explained in detail. 



The investigations reported indicate that peat is the best material for the 

 construction of such beds. It is explained how beds of this material may be 

 constructed so that there is a continuous conversion of ammonia salts into 

 nitrates. It Is estimated that by the use of the process described a peat bed of 

 2,471.04 acres and 6.56 ft. deep, with a nitrogen content of 2 per cent, will yield 

 800.000 to 900,000 tons of niter. 



Sulphate of ammonia and nitrate of soda, J. Barcia y Trelles {Ann. Geni- 

 bloiix, 19 {1909), No. -',, pp. 223-226) .—A brief discussion of an article on this 

 subject by Lf.hnis and Blobel (E. S. R., 20, p. 62.3). 



Nitrate of soda, J. Keane {Agr. Students' Qaz., n. ser., U, {1909), No. 3, 

 pp. 77-81). — This is a concise sunnnary of the more important facts regarding 

 the source of supply of nitrate of soda and its value and action as a fertilizer. 



t Production, exportation, and consumption of nitrate in 1908] (-4 .soc. Sal. 

 Propaganda. Circ. Triniest. //«, 1908. pp. /-/F).— The figures here reported by 

 the Nitrate of Soda Propaganda indicate that the production of nitrate during 



