FERTILIZERS. 1057 



Sfa. Rpt. 1902, pp. 31-41).— In continuation of previous work (E. S. R., 18, p. 122), 

 a study was made of the rate of nitrification of ammonium sulphate and cotton-seed 

 meal in 8 soils of known history from different parts of the TTnited States. The 

 results show that " calcium carbonate exerts a decided accelerating influence ujwn 

 the nitrification of cotton-seed meal and ammonium sulphate, especially the latter. 

 In some soils a greater per cent of nitrogen is nitrified in the form of ammonium 

 sulphate than in cotton-seed meal; in other soils the contrary is the case, even in 

 the presence of calcium carbonate. Other soils exhibited little nitrifying power, 

 under the conditions of the experiments." 



FERTILIZERS. 



Slanures in use in Egjrpt, G. P. Foaden {Jour. Khediv. Agr. Soc. and School 

 Agr., 5 (1903), Xo. 1, pp. 1-34) ■ — Attention is called to the increasing need for fertil- 

 izers in Egypt and the limited supply at hand. In addition to Nile mud, the prin- 

 cipal fertilizers available are sebach beladi (barnyard manure), sebach coufri ("the 

 remains of ancient villages mixed with debris of various kinds and organic matter"), 

 tafia or marog (a blue nitrate-bearing clay or marl), pigeon manure, and minor 

 products, such as those derived from sewage, refuse from slaughterhouses, tanneries, 

 street sweepings, etc. The value and use of these manures, as well as of commercial 

 fertilizers, are discussed. Nile water contains on an average in August 170 parts of 

 suspended matter per 100,000, 130 of which is deposited on the soil. This deposit 

 contains on an average 0.1 per cent nitrogen, 0.2 per cent phosphoric acid, 0.6 per cent 

 potash. The sebach coufri generally contains less than 0.3 per cent of nitrogen, 0.5 

 per cent of phosphoric acid, and 1 to 3 per cent of potash. The tafia or marog is 

 very variable in composition, the content of nitrate of soda varying from 1 to 24 per 

 cent. The average barnyard manure of Egypt contains nitrogen 0.3 per cent, phos- 

 phoric acid 0.2 per cent, potash 1.5 percent. 



The results of preservation experiments with barnyard manure stored in 

 heaps, Bachmaxn {iJeut. Lnndw. Fresse, 30 {1903), Nos.36, pp. 311,312; 37, pp.323, 

 324). — Heaps of 1,200 to 1,800 kg. were experimented with. In different cases the 

 heaps were (1) loosely made, (2) closely packed, and (3) closely packed and treated 

 with superphosphate (Ij per cent), phosphoric acid (1^ to 2 per cent), sulphuric acid, 

 marl, gromid calcium carbonate (5 per cent), and lime (5 percent). After standing 

 4 months manure was removed from each of the heaps for comparative experiments 

 on potatoes and beets. The changes in composition (water, total nitrogen, and ash) 

 after 4 and 8i months are reported. The loss of nitrogen was rapid for 3 months in 

 the loose heap and then ceased. The loss in closely packed heaps covered with earth 

 was as large as in the loosely made heaps. The superphosphate, phosphoric acid, 

 and sulphuric acid reduced the loss of nitrogen, sulphuric acid apjiarently being most 

 effective in this respect. Marl, 'Calcium carbonate, and lime increased the loss of 

 nitrogen. The manure treated with superphosphate gave the highest yields, followed 

 in order by that treated with lime, phosphoric acid, calcium carbonate, marl, and 

 sulphuric acid. The results in general show that the larger proportion of the loss of 

 nitrogen occurs in the early stages. 



Valuation of unexhausted manures obtained by the consumption of foods 

 by stock, J. A. Voelcker and A. D. Hall {Jour. Roy. Agr. Soc. England, 63 {1902), 

 pp. 76-114, figs. 3). — A revision of Lawes and Gilbert's tables using current values of 

 nitrogen, phosphoric acid, and potash in common fertilizers; paying for i of the 

 nitrogen, % of the phosphoric acid, and all of the potash in the pm-chased foods; and 

 reducing the period over which the manure is supposed to produce an effect from 

 8 to 4 years, the compensation value for the second, third, and fourth years being 

 oue-half of that of the year immediately preceding. 



