622 EXPEBIMEKT STATION EECOED. 



The manufacture of nitrates from the atmosphere by the electric arc, 

 .<J. Eydk (Jour. Roy. Soc. Arls, J7 (1909), No. 29J,9. pp. 567-576, figs. 2).— The 

 general features of tbe Birkeland and Eyde process are explained, the plant at 

 Notodden Is described, and the results of tests of the product as a fertilizer are 

 summarized. Attention is called to the fact that the process may be adapted to 

 the manufacture of a number of other products beside nitrate of lime, including 

 nitrite of soda, nitric acid, ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate, etc. It is 

 also stated that a less hygroscopic product is now prepared than at the begin- 

 ning of operations. The author was not prepared to give definite information 

 as to cost of production. 



The present status of production of synthetic nitrogenous fertilizers, 

 G. Ragondkt (Ann. GctnWoiuf, 19 U909). Xo. 7, pp. -'i-'iHi-'P- flffs. 2).— In con- 

 tinuation of a previous article on this subject (E. S. R., 21, p. 221), descriptions 

 are given of the arrangement of the apparatus and machinery used in the 

 manufacture of nitrate of lime and nitrolime (calcium cyanamid). 



Lime nitrogen. F. Schuster (Jahrh. yatunc. 2'i (1908-9). pp. 21,9-252).— 

 Recent investigations relating to this material are briefly reviewed. 



On the application of dicyandiamid as a nitrogenous manure, R. Inouye 

 {Jour. Vol. -l.f/r. Imp. Uiiir. Tohiio. I {1909). To. 2. pp. 193-196. pi. /).— Pot 

 experiments with rape and barley are reported which indicate that dicyandiamid 

 may be used at the rate of 0.35 gm. of nitrogen per S kg- of soil with beneficial 

 effect as a fertilizer. Apparently the l>est results are obtained by applying the 

 material as a top-dressing. 



On manuring with dicyandiamid. K. Aso (Jour. Col. Agr. Imp. Unir. Tokyo. 

 1 (1909), No. 2, pp. 211-222, pi. 1). — A number of experiments with oats and 

 rice are reported from which the conclusion is drawn that " in water culture, 

 dicyandiamid at the concentration of 0.01 per cent proved to be a source of 

 nitrogen for plants. In common soil, however, it acted poisonously at the rate 

 of 5 gill, dicyandiamid in 10 kg. soil, but served as a favorable nitrogenous 

 manure with the reduced quantities. In paddy soil the injury was less than in 

 the soil of common dry "land and when the precaution was taken, that planting 

 was performed three weeks after manuring with dicyandiamid, no injury 

 whatever was observed and the harvest reached nearly that obtained with the 

 equivalent (piantity of ammonium sulpliate and of lime nitrogen. . . . Dicy- 

 andiamid acted as a nitrogenous manure more favorably when it was applied in 

 conjunction with alkaline manure." 



Nitrate of soda or sulphate of ammonia, C. Mayer (Af/r. Jour. Cape Good 

 Hope. .15 {1909), No. I. lip. 2-'f-27). — The results of comparative tests of these 

 fertilizing materials on a great variety of crops are summarized, with sugges- 

 tions as to the use of sulphate of anunonia under the conditions prevailing in 

 Cape of Good Hope. 



Is dipotassium sulphate physiologically acid? K. Aso (Jour. Col. Agr. Imp. 

 Univ. Tokyo, 1 (1909), No. 2, pp. 223-225. pi. i).— Pot experiments with oats 

 gave results indicating " that the physiological acidity of dipotassium sulphate 

 is very much less pronounced than that of ammonium sulphate, but it acts as a 

 neutral or weak physiologically acid manure.'" 



On the manurial value of various organic phosphoric compounds, K. Aso 

 and T. Yoshida {Jour. Col. Agr. Imp. Umr. Tokyo, 1 (1909), No. 2, pp. 153-161, 

 pi. 1). — Lecithin, phj'tin, and nuclein prepared from rice bran were tested in 

 comparison with sodium, aluminum, ferric, and tricalcium phosphate in a series 

 of pot experiments with barley, peas, and I'ape. The following conclusions are 

 drawn from the results : 



"Among the organic phosphoric compounds used in these experiments, the 

 manurial value of lecithin was highest, phytin came next, and nuclein last. The 



