732 



EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



In another series of experiments 100 gm. lots of manure, either with- 

 out covering or covered with a layer of soil 7 to 8 cm. thick, were sub- 

 jected to currents of normal air or air to which ozone had been added. 

 In this case the passage of 1,583 liters of air containing ozone removed 

 43.3 per cent of the ammoniacal nitrogen originally present, and the 

 normal air 48.7 per cent. In the case of the manure covered with soil 

 the amount of ammoniacal nitrogen removed by normal air was only 

 3.9 per cent. Analysis showed that a considerable quantity of organic 

 nitrogen was also removed in the free state by this treatment. In the 

 case of the air containing ozone 19.3 per cent of the original nitrogen 

 was lost in a free state; in the case of the normal air 15.2 per cent. 



The manure lost in both forms 20.4 per cent of its original nitrogen 

 when subjected to the action of air containing ozone; 23.2 per cent 

 with normal air when the manure was uncovered, and 22.7 per cent with 

 normal air when the manure was covered with soil. When the manure 

 and air were sterilized the loss of nitrogen was very small, showing 

 that the evolution of ammonia and free nitrogen was due to the action 

 of micro-organisms and not the result of purely chemical changes. 



The fertilizer control for 1897, W. A. Withers (North Carolina 

 Sta. Bui. 151, pp. 113-422). — Fertilizer inspection in North Carolina is 

 now under the control of the State department of agriculture. The 

 station is employed to make the analyses, but the collection of samples 

 and the publication of results is in the hands of the commissioner of 

 agriculture. This bulletin, therefore, is confined to a summary of the 

 work of the year, including data relating to the increase in the number 

 of brands of fertilizers, extent and distribution of the fertilizer trade, 

 valuation of fertilizers, and average composition of fertilizers on sale in 

 North Carolina during several years (1890-1897). 



"The number of brands registered for sale in North Carolina during 

 1897 is about the same as for 189G, but before that year the number 

 increased very rapidly for each year since 1890, when there was a 

 change from the brand tax to the tonnage tax." The number of brands 

 offered for sale in the State in 1897 was 073 as against 000 the previous 

 year. The consumption of fertilizers in the State has rapidly increased 

 from year to year, amounting to about 208,000 tons, valued at about 

 $5,000,000, in 1897. " The larger part of the fertilizers now used in the 

 State were manufactured in North Carolina and Virginia." 



The average composition of the principal classes of fertilizers used in 

 the State during 1897 is shown in the following table: 



Average composition of fertilizers sold in North Carolina in 1897. 



