314 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Bureau of Soils of tbis Department in Farmers' Bulletin 257 (E. S. R., 18, 

 p. 119). 



Is the value of manure affected by the use of disinfecting materials? 

 .SoBOTTA (D'nt. Landiv. Prc.ssc, 35 H'JOS), No. 7.S, pp. 620, 821; (;f>.s. in Centhl. 

 Bakt. [etc.], 2. AM., 23 {1909), No. 6-9, pp. 262, 263).— The author is of tho 

 opinion that the coal-tar preparations in particular injuriously affect the value 

 of manure and in some cases act as plant poisons. In general he cautions 

 against the continued use of poisonous materials which may accumulate in the 

 soil to the detrimoit of grcming plants. 



Green manures, R. Gagey (BiiI. Dir. Agr. Com. et Colon. [Tunis], 12 (1908), 

 \o. 'i9, lip. Jil9-')1'), pis. 2, pg. J). — The advantages of green manuring, plants 

 adapted to the purpose, and tlieir methods of culture, especially as applied to 

 Tunisian conditions, are fully discussed in this article. 



Contribution to the study of Sardinian guanos with special reference to 

 the determination of the ammoniacal nitrogen, R. Binaghi (Staz. 8pcr. Agr. 

 ItuL, 1,2 {J9i'9), No. 3. pp. 105-230, Jig. 7).— After a discussion of the location 

 and source of various guano deposits and of analyses of samples of guano from 

 different parts of the world, the author gives the results of his own investiga- 

 tions of Sardinian guanos. For determination of nitrogen the Schloesing-Aubin 

 method was used with a modified apparatus, which is descril)ed and illustrated. 

 The following conclusions are drawn : 



(1) The view of other analysts that bat guano is less rich in fertilizing con- 

 stituents than that of sea birds is confirmed; (2) the Sardinian guanos are to 

 be classed as ammoniacal; (3) they possess every quality requisite for fer- 

 tilizing the soil and are not inferior to American and African guanos; (4) with 

 the modification of the Schloesing-Aubin apparatus more exact and quicker 

 results are obtained than with the original method. 



The guano birds of Peru, R. E. Coker {Science, n. ser., 29 {1909), No. 751, 

 p. 838). — The chief guano-producing birds are described as well as the con- 

 ditions which promote or hinder their multiplication. A system of rotation 

 whereby birds are to be allowed to remain un.disturbed for a period of years 

 on certain islands, thus greatly increasing the accumulation .of guano, is 

 proposed. 



Sulphate of ammonia in Germany in 1908 {Chrm. Ztschr., 8 {1909), No. 11, 

 pp. 121, 122). — Statistics of production and consumption in Germany and other 

 countries are reviewed. 



Nitrogen from the air {Jour. Roy. Soc. Arts, 57 {1909), No. 2951, p. 621).— 

 Brief reference is made to a paper presented at the London meeting of the Inter- 

 national Congress of Applied Chemistry by Bernthsen, in whicli attention is 

 called to the Schonherr and Hessberger process of producing an electric arc 

 flame of new form and higher efficiency in the oxidation of the nitrogen of the 

 air. In this process magnets and magnetic fields are entirely dispensed with and 

 the arc is produced inside an iron tube of comparatively small diameter, through 

 which the air is made to pass and thus brought into intimate contact with the 

 arc. It is stated that two new companies have been formed to exploit the 

 process in Norway. 



The manufacture of cyanamid, ue Seynes {Rci\ G4n. Agron., n. sen, 4 

 {1909), No. 5, pp. 196-198). — A very brief description is given of the pi'ocess, 

 with a list of European factories and oi'ganizations manufacturing and handling 

 the product. 



The new nitrogenous fertilizers utilizing atmospheric nitrogen, R. Guillin 

 {Bui. tioc. Agr, France, 1909, June 1, pp. 915-921). — This is a report presented 



