FERTILIZERS. 135 



The acid solution taken for analysis was evaporated to dryness in a 

 liter Jena flask, using an air blast to hasten evaporation. The special 

 apparatus used for this purpose is described and illustrated. The dried 

 residue was taken up with water and boiled until all the normal salts 

 were dissolved and the basic precipitate was in the form of a fine pow- 

 der. All the bases present which formed insoluble carbonates or 

 bydroxids were precipitated by addiug freshly prepared silver carbonate 

 until all cblorin was precipitated. 



A second partition similar to the one just described was effected at 

 this point by weighing the solution with tbe insoluble precipitate and, 

 after drying the latter at a gentle heat, deducting its weight. The fil- 

 trate from this precipitate contains potash and soda, a trace of magne- 

 sia, some lime as bicarbonate, a little manganese, and some silver 

 carbonate, and is alkaline in reaction. It was evaporated to dryness, 

 which separated the silver, manganese, and lime. The filtrate from this 

 residue was acidified with hydrochloric acid, and the potash deter- 

 mined in the usual way. In all cases evaporation was hastened by the 

 use of the air blast. 



The method "is designed for investigations important enough to 

 justify the expense. The cost of so slow and tedious processes would 

 be prohibitive for transient commercial purposes." 



The results of the determinations of potash in the soils of the differ- 

 ent plats showed no variations which could be traced to the different 

 systems of fertilizing employed. 



Inoculation of soil with ferments, P. P. Deherain {Ann, Agron., 24 {189S), No. 

 4, pp. 174-180). — This is a geiieral discussion of the subject under the following 

 heads: The introduction of ferments into the soil — Nitragiu, alinite, and nitrifying 

 soils; organisms which naturally occur in the soil, and influence of medium on the 

 activity of organisms. The necessity for investigating the conditions under which 

 it proves profitable to inoculate soils with organisms which fix nitrogen is pointed 

 out. It is suggested that the couti*adictory results obtained by different investiga- 

 tors may be due to insufficient knowledge as to the medium which is best suited to 

 the growth of the different organisms. 



The conservation of barnyard manure viewed from a practical standpoint, 

 A. Arnstadt (Fuhling's Landw. Ztg., 47 {1898), No. 2, p. 66). 



The fertilization of the Campine, L. Bareel {Rev. Gen. Agron., 189S, Nos. 2, pp. 

 73-77; 4, pp. 173-177) — Green manuring, the use of night soil, and sewage irrigation 

 are discussed, especial attention being given to the last. 



Investigation on the action of sulphate of ammonia and nitrate of soda, G. 

 Kloepfer ( Uvtersuch ungen iiber die Wirkung des schwefelsduren Ammoniaks mid des 

 Chili salpeters. Essen: G. D. Baedecker, 1898). 



Comparative experiments with ammoniacal and nitric nitrogen {Deut. Landw. 

 I'resxe, 25 {1898), Nos. 25, pp. 271, 272, figs. 2; 26, pp. 284, 285, figs. 4).— This is a sum- 

 mary of the experiments by Kloepfer, which indicated that sulphate of ammonia is 

 more economical than nitrate of soda, especially for application to cereals in the 

 spring. 



Ammonium salts vs. nitrate of soda, P. Wagner {Deut. Landw. Presse, 25 {1898), 

 Nos. 30, p. 327, fig. 1; 31, pp. 336, 337).— -Experimental data are quoted to show tbat 

 the conclusions of Kloepfer (see above) regarding the greater economy as a fertilizer 

 of ammonium salts over nitrate of soda are erroneous. 



