SOILS — FERTILIZERS. 929 



Synthetic nitrogenous compounds, R. McMuktrie {Amer. Fert., 27 (1907), 

 No. 5, pp. 12-1.1). — Vivrioius syiitliotic processes for preparing ammonia and 

 nitric acid as well as tlie metliod of preparing calcium cyanamid are reviewed. 



Investigations of calcium cyanamid by C. Glaser are referred to which showed 

 that tlie sample of this material with which he experimented contained 1.00 

 per cent of nitrouen insoluble in water, 1.3.5 per cent soluble (as pre-formed 

 ammonia), and 15.49 per cent soluble as cyanamid. The material contained 

 17.89 per cent of available nitrojion as determined by the official permanganate 

 method. This places the availability of the nitrogen higher than that of dried 

 blood or any other of the better forms of organic nitrogen. 



On the synthesis of nitrous anhydrid {Rev. Gen. ScL, IS (1907), No. 22, 

 pp. 908, 909). — This is a note on Scarpa's repetition of Helbig's experiments on 

 the oxidation of tlie nitrogen of liquid air by electrical discharges. 



The new nitrogenous fertilizer, calcium cyanamid, E. Crudo (Torino, 1907, 

 pp. 54; I'cv. in Rcr. Elect rochini. et Ehctronu'taL, 1 (1907), Xo. 10, p. 363). — 

 In this pamphlet the author summarizes information published elsewhere re- 

 garding the physical and chemical properties and methods of manufacture of 

 calcium cyanamid. He also reports the results of experiments with the material 

 as a fertilizer. 



New complex fertilizers prepared from atmospheric nitrogen, E. and G. 

 PoLLACi (Staz. Sper. Agi: Ital., JfO (1907), Xo. 6-7, pp. 580-592; ahs. in Chcm. 

 Zentbl, 1907, II, No. 26, pp. 2072, 2073).— The authors enumerate certain ob- 

 jections to the use of calcium cj'auamid as a fertilizer, namely, (1) the danger of 

 loss of ammonia in storage or in moist soils, (2) the caustic action of the material, 

 (3) injury to germinating seeds, and (4) the generation under certain conditions 

 of acetylene and other poisonous gases. They describe a process patented by 

 them for treating the cyanamid with sulphuric acid by which it is claimed 

 the objections named may be overcome and a more efficient fertilizer obtained. 



Treatment of calcium cyanamid with sulphuric acid for use as a fertilizer, 

 E. and G. Pollaci (Eiujrais, 22 (1907), No. .1,9. p. 1171).— To destroy the caustic 

 and poisonous properties of calcium cyanamid the authors treat the material 

 with a dilute solution of commercial sulphuric acid, 40 to 50° Baume, in 

 sufBcient quantity to render the mixture slightly acid. It is then dried at a 

 low heat (about 40 to 50° C.) and pulverized. 



Development of the cyanamid industry in Europe (Amer. Fert., 27 (1907), 

 No. 5, p. 15). — This is a list of plants which have been established in Europe 

 for the production of lime nitrogen. 



The agricultural importance of the potash deposits of Germany, J. Kxjhn 

 (Ber. PlnjHioJ. Lab. ii. Tr/.s-. Anst. Lnndic. Inst. Halle, 1907, No. IS, pp. 191-197; 

 lUus. Lamlw. Ztg., 27 (1907), No. 82, pp. 713, Ti-i).— This is a brief discussion 

 of the economic phases of this subject. 



The world's consumption of potash, Maizieres (Engrais, 22 (1907), No. 

 .'iG, pp. 1092, 1093). — Statistics of consumption for each year from 1895 to 

 1906 are given. The total consumption of the world for 1906 is given as 

 498,000 tons calculated as pure potash (K-O). Of this total amount the 

 largest consumption (251,333 tons) was in Germany, the next largest (126,000 

 tons) in Ihe United States. 



The world's production of phosphate and superphosphate to the end of 1906, 

 Maizieres (Engrain, 22 (1907), No. 43, pp. 1020-1022).— The total production 

 of the world during 1906 is given as 4.000.00(» metric tons in round numbers. 

 It is estimated that the production for 1907 will exceed this figure by not less 

 than 300.000 tons. 



Phosphates and superphosphates, T. Collot (Jour. Agr. Prat., n. ser., 14 

 (1907), No. 42, pp. 500-504). — This is a continuation of previous articles (E. 



