424 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



(1907), No. 1, pp. 1-46; ahs. in Chem. A6s., 1 (1907), No. 13, p. 1754; Jour. 

 Chem. Soc. [London], 92 (1907), No. 538, II, p. 67/6).— The author reviews 

 previous investigations upon this subject, discusses the factors affecting the 

 action of the two materials, and reports pot experiments with potatoes, from 

 which he draws the following conclusions : The absolute consumption of water 

 by potatoes was greater in case of ammonium sulphate than in case of nitrate 

 of soda. The absolute water consumption was higher, and the relative con- 

 sumption considerably lower with potash fertilizers than without them ; that 

 is, the w-ater was better utilized with potash fertilizers. Ammonium sulphate 

 gave better yields than nitrate of soda. Only the highest yield of potatoes with 

 nitrate nitrogen equalled the effect of ammonia nitrogen. 



The assimilation of nitrogen by potatoes was the same in case of nitrate 

 nitrogen (calcium nitrate) and ammonium sulphate. Probably the sulphuric 

 acid set free by the assimilation processes influenced the utilization of nitrogen 

 unfavorably and the taking up of potash favorably. The sodium residue left 

 in the soil, when present in small amounts, increased the nitrogen assimilation, 

 but when present in larger amounts, reduced nitrogen assimilation. In like 

 manner the soda reduced the assimilation of potash by plants. This action is 

 attributed in part to the alkaline nature of the sodium residue. Uulils;e other 

 cultivated plants (beets, barley, and carrots) the potato was not favorably 

 influenced by soda directly. The two varieties of potatoes experimented with, 

 July and Silesia, behaved very differently toward this incidental action of the 

 nitrate of soda and sulphate of ammonia. 



Experiments with amrQonium. sulphate, Bachmann (Fiiliriiig'.s Lnndiv. Ztg., 

 56 (1907), Xo. 15. pp. 530-535). — In continuation of previous experiments (E. S. 

 R., IS, p. 725), the author studied the effect of time of application of ammonium 

 sulphate and the comparative effect of the sulphate and other nitrogenous ferti- 

 lizers on rye, oats, barley, kohl-rabi, and mangolds on different kinds of soil. 



As a rule early application in the spring gave better results than later, and 

 one application than fractional applications. The sulphate gave better results 

 than nitrate of soda or the organic nitrogen of manure. 



Field experiments with nitrogen-lime for sugar beets, F. Strohmer 

 (Ostcn: Uiigar. Ztschr. Zuckcrindus. it. Landic, 35 (1906), pp. 663-675; aba. 

 in Chem. Zenthl., 1907, 1, No. 19, p. I.'f51; Jour. Chan. Soc. [London], 92 (1907), 

 No. 538, II, pp. 6Ji6, 6V/7). — The nitrogen of nitrogen-lime, prepared by the Pol- 

 zenius process, is in the same form as in lime nitrogen. In the experiments 

 reported, nitrogen-lime gave good results on sugar beets, but the best methods 

 of applying it remain to be worked out and the economy of its use depends upon 

 its cost? which has not yet been fixed commercially. 



Previous experiments of this kind have been noted (E. S. R., 18, p. 19). 



Comparative fertilizer experiments with lime nitrogen, M. Schmoeger 

 (Mitt. Dciit. Landw. Gesell, 22 (1907), No. 10, pp. 103-105).— Five years' com- 

 parative tests of lime nitrogen, ammonium sulphate, and nitrate of soda on oats 

 and potatoes are reported, showing uniformly best results with nitrate of soda, 

 and slightly poorer and less uniform results with ammonium sulphate. Lime 

 nitrogen was slightly less effective than ammonium sulphate but very similar 

 to it in action. 



Experiments with lime nitrogen and nitrogen lime, H. Immendorff (Mitt. 

 Dent. Landw. Gesell., 22 (1907), No. 9, pp. 93-95; Sachs. Landw. Ztschr., 55 

 (1907), No. l-'f, pp. 317-319). — Experiments with wheat, barley, and oats, show 

 that these fertilizers gave good results as compared with nitrate of soda, and 

 indicate that they may be used with advantage by farmers under suitable con- 

 ditions. 



