850 EXPEEIMENT STATION RECORD. 



be applied, since the yields obtained increased with the quantities added, but in 

 practice applications of 100 to 150 cubic meters per hectare (1,400 to 2,150 cu. ft. 

 per acre) may be considered ample. The effect of the peat can be readily seen 

 during several succeeding years. — f. w. woll. 



Ammoniacal and nitric nitrogen, S. Hals (Tklsskr. Xorske Landhr., 9 {lOOii), 

 No. o, j>p- 212-^25). — A resume of the subject is given with an account of two series 

 of experiments conducted by the author at Darmstadt Experiment Station, for the 

 purpose of studying the question whether a moist, loamy soil is able to fix all nitrogen 

 applied in form of ammonium sulphate. The experiments, which were made on 

 small samples of soil in the lal)oratory, with and without addition of lime and wate-r, 

 showed that a loss of nitrogen through evaporation of ammonia can take place in a 

 loamy soil rich in lime when small quantities of ammonium sulphate are added and 

 the soil is exposed to the sun and wind. Liming and addition of water (increased 

 evaporation of water) increase the evaporation of ammonia, and this is larger when 

 the ammonium sulphate is strewn on the surface of the soil than when mixed with it. 



In the change of ammonia to nitric acid in the soil a portion of the nitrogen has 

 been found to disappear. According to "Wagner, only 89 per cent is recovered. The 

 result of the author's experiment would suggest that the loss is due to evaporation 

 of ammonia. A nitrification experiment was made with a loamy soil containing 1.21 

 per cent lime (in the dry matter) and 15 per cent water, the soil being placed in 

 glass cylinders provided with ground glass stoppers which were connected with a 

 U-tube for the absorption of ammonia that might escape. The evaporation of water 

 from the soil was thus reduced to a minimum and the ammonia that might escape 

 could be collected and determined quantitatively. The results of the experiments 

 showed that under these conditions no loss of nitrogen took place. During the 30 

 days in which the experiments lasted the ammoniacal nitrogen was not completely 

 changed into nitric nitrogen, there being about 7 per cent of nitrogen unaccounted 

 for, which in all proliability had been changed into organic compounds. — f. w. woll. 



The utilization of atmospheric nitrogen by agricultural plants, M. Gerlach 

 [Jahrh. Dent. Lanchi:. GeseU., 17 {1902), ])p. 20-25). — A general discu,ssion. 



Studies in nitrification, G. S. Fraps {Amer. Chem. Jour., 29 (1.90.3), No. 3, pp. 

 225-241, figs. 2). — This has been noted from another source (E. S. R., 14, p. 110). 



Notes on nitrification organisms, W. Omelianski [Centhl. Bakt. a. Par., 2. Aht., 

 9 (1902), Nos. 1-2, p. 63; 3-4, p. i7.?). -Experiments are reported which go to show 

 that the nitrification organisms do not cause the oxidation of incompletely oxidized 

 mineral compounds, such as sodium sulphite and phosphite, and do not produce 

 oxidizing enzyms. 



Are there bacteria which assimilate free nitrogen or is this a chemical 

 process? A. A. Bonnema ( Chem. Ztg.,27 {1903), No. 14, pp- 148-150).— 1\. is suggested 

 that the fixation of free nitrogen in the soil may be due to the catalytic action of 

 iron hydroxid. 



On the nitrogen content of the seed of lupines used as fertilizer, N. Pas- 

 SERiNi (;S'/((-. Spa: Ayr. Ital, 35 {1902), No. 11-12, pp. SS7-S96).— Analyses of the 

 seed of different kinds of lupines and experiments with the seeds as a fertilizer for 

 wheat in comparison Avith various other nitrogenous fertilizers are reported which 

 show the high value of the seed as a nitrogenous fertilizer. 



The preservation of barnyard manure, T. Pfeiffer {.laltrh. Dent. Lcoidie. 

 GeseU., 17 {1902), pp. 166-177). — A general discussion. 



Compost heap and its management, M. Saul {Deut. Lcmdu: Pre.'<.'<e, 30 {1903), 

 No. 9, J)]}- 67, 68). — A brief note advising especially against deep plowing under of 

 manure. 



On the utilization of night soil in European cities, J. Sebelien ( Tidsxkr. 

 Norske Landhr., 9 {1902), No. 4, pp. 149-186). 



