SOILS FERTILIZERS. 419 



The fixation of atmospheric nitrogen, S. Eyde (»SV/. Aiiicr. Siii)., 68 (li)09), 

 Xo. n.'/8, pt). 0-1 1, fi(jH. U). — The Birkelaiul and Eyde process of electrical 

 fixation is described and tests of tlie fertilizing value of the product arc 

 suinniarized. 



Nitric acid from the air, Bernthskn (Ztschr. Angcio. Chem., 22 {1909), No. 

 2Ji, pp. 11G7-117S, pis. .'/). — The author describes his method of oxidizing the 

 nitrogen of the air by means of a long flame in a narrow tube, as well as the 

 application of the method in a factory at Christiansand, Norway. 



The manufacture of nitric acid from the air in Austria, F. Russ (Osterr. 

 Chem. Ztg., 12 (1909), No. 11, pp. lJi2-U5, figs. 9; abs. in Chem. Ztg., 33 {1909), 

 No. 81, Report., p. 358, figs. 2). — This article describes and reports tests of the 

 efficiency of tlie Pauling process employed by a factory near Innsbruck. The 

 process is based upon the use of a flaming arc produced between diverging 

 electrodes, a current of air being driven through the flame from below where the 

 electrodes approach closest to each other. 



Formation of nitric oxid from the air by means of a current of electricity 

 of low voltage, G. W. Morden (Trans. Amer. Electrochem. Soc., lit (1908), pp. 

 113-141, figs. 5; ahs. in Jour. Soc. Chem. Indus., 2S (1909), No. 10, pp. 520, 

 521). — The work reported is a continuation of that of Haber and Konig, who 

 used a cooled arc. The author, however, employed short arcs and a direct 

 current. He obtained a concentration of 9.7 per cent of nitric oxid at 300 to 

 400 mm. pressure with low voltage. This corresponds to a yield of 92 gm. of 

 nitric acid per kilowatt hour. 



Changes which occur in lime nitrogen and nitrogen lime in storage and 

 their determination, H. Kappen (Landtv. Vers. Stat., 10 (1909), No. 5-6, pp. 

 Ji.i5-.'i69). — Investigations are reported which show that there was a consid- 

 erable loss of nitrogen as well as transformation of cyanamid into dicyandiamid 

 during the storage of these products. Terotti's titration method for the deter- 

 mination of the unaltered cyanamid was found reliable. 



Mixing superphosphate and calcium cyanamid, E. Mas.son-Polet (Jour. 

 Soc. Agr. Brabant et Ilainaut, 54 (1909), No. 26, pp. 626-6\?S).— Referring to 

 an investigation on this subject by de Molinari and Ligot, which indicated the 

 injurious elTect of mixing superphosphate and calcium cyanamid, the author 

 maintains that the fertilizing value of superphosphate is not seriously im- 

 paired by mixtures in which moist superphosphate is used. 



A new method of making superphosphate (Engrais, 23 (1908), No. 52, pp. 

 12J,1, 12.',2; abs. in Chem. Abs., 3 (1909), No. 11, p. 1320).— In the method pro- 

 posed tricalcium phosphate is treated with sulphurous acid in the presence 

 of a little water. Soluble phosphate and calcium sulphite are produced. The 

 soluble phosphate is removed by extraction with water and the sulphite is de- 

 composed by heat. The sulphurous acid can be recovered for further use. 



The valuation of insoluble phosphoric acid in commercial fertilizers, R. H. 

 Fash (Jour. Indus, and Engin. Chem., 1 (1909), No. 6, pp. 311, 312). — The 

 author maintains that it is unjust to give the same valuation to insoluble 

 phosphoric acid in fertilizers regardless of the source from which it is derived, 

 and proposes a method of microscopical examination which affords a means 

 of determining the source of the insoluble phosphoric acid. 



The valuation of raw phosphates, M. Ullmann (Chem. Ztg., 33 (1909), Nos. 

 1,9, pp. Ii.'i5-Ji/,1 ; 50, pp. J,5-'t, J,55 ; 51, pp. Jt62-J,6-'i ; 52, pp. J,69-.',ll).— This 

 article discusses in some detail the trade in raw phosphates, their valuation 

 on the basis of analysis, and cooperative tests of various methods of analysis. 



A phosphate problem for Illinois landowners, C. G. Hopkins (ininois Sta. 

 Circ. 130, pp. 16, dgm. 1). — The advantage of using raw phosphates on Illinois 

 soils is discussed and the fact that humus as well as phosphorus is needed and 



