860 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



The general conclusions reached are that under favorable conditions the nitrogen 

 of ammonium sulphate is rapidly ((inverted into nitric acid in the soil. The condi- 

 tions favoring this change are a certain degree of warmth and aeration, a very high 

 dilution of the ammonia solution, and a high lime content, the temperature being 

 the most important factor. As a rule it is not necessary to take special precautions 

 to promote the formation of nitrates. If soils are acid, however, applications of lime 

 are necessary in order to promote the unhampered action of the ammonium salts. 



The experiments recorded indicate that of 100 parts of ammoniacal nitrogen applied 

 to the soil 93 parts are obtained as nitric nitrogen. Taking the utilization of nitric 

 nitrogen by plants grown in pots as 100, the utilization of ammoniacal nitrogen was 

 94. Lower results were obtained in field experiments, the comparative figure for 

 ammoniacal nitrogen being 70 instead of 94. This loss in efficiency of the ammoniacal 

 nitrogen is attributed to loss of ammonia by evaporation, such loss being especially 

 high in case of soils rich in calcium carbonate. 



It thus appears that calcium carbonate, while favoring nitrification, is at the same 

 time a possible source of loss of nitrogen. This explains the fact observed by War- 

 ington, Deherain, Giustiniani, and others, that sdils poor in lime generally show a 

 better utilization of ammoniacal nitrogen than those rich in lime. The smallest com- 

 parative effect of ammoniacal nitrogen was observed in the case of beets. Rye, oats, 

 barley, and especially potatoes were much more benefited by applications of ammo- 

 nium salts than sugar beets and fodder beets. 



Cooperative experiments with mineral fertilizers on clover, (). Gorbatovskj 

 (Bibliotek. Khozyain, 1904, Apr., pp. 84-97; <iox. in Zhur. Opuitn. Agron. [i2«ss. Jour. 

 Expt. Landw.'], 5 {1904), No. 3, p. 390).— On 12 estates in the Government of Smo- 

 lensk cooperative experiments were conducted with kainit alone as a top-dressing, 

 with kainit and superphosphate, and with gypsum. All soils were clayey. All the 

 fertilizers exerted a very marked action on the yield, the order of effectiveness 

 being on an average (1) kainit plus superphosphate, ('2) kainit, and (.">) gypsum. 

 In some cases, however, the gypsum acted more strongly than kainit, namely, on 

 naturally fertile soil. — p. fireman. 



Defecation residue as a fertilizer. Field experiments, (i. S. Likhovitzer 

 (Zap. Otdyel. Imp. Russ. Tech. 6bsh. Sveklosakh. Prom., 1904, No. 2, pp. 127-152; abs. 

 in Zhur. Opuitn. Agron. [Hit™. Jour. Expt. Landw.], 5 (1904), No. .>', p. 392). — On the 

 basis of field experiments and of a survey of the literature, the author arrives at the 

 conclusion that the defecation residue obtained in purification of sugar-beet juices 

 increases the yield of beets on heavy soils and enhances the action of superphos- 

 phate and nitrate. In some cases the defecation residue may reduce the action of 

 superphosphate, probably transforming its phosphoric acid into difficultly soluble 

 compounds. — p. fireman. 



Fertilizer experiments with sulphate of ammonia, H. Bachmann ( Dint. 

 Landw. Prexse, 32 (1905), Nos. 12, pp. 92-94, figs. 3; 18, p. 101, figs. 3). — Experiments 

 by farmers during 1904 on loam and sandy soils with wheat, rye, oats, and kohl- 

 rabi are reported. Sulphate of ammonia was used in varying amounts in connection 

 with varying proportions of Thomas slag and 40 per cent potash salt. 



Judging from the way in which the results are reported, the sulphate of ammonia 

 was in no case used alone or with an unvarying basal fertilizer. The results, there- 

 fore, do not furnish a basis for definite conclusions as to the actual effect of the 

 sulphate of ammonia as distinct from that of the other fertilizers with which it 

 was used. 



Culture experiments with "N" fertilizer in the year 1904, F. von Lepel 

 (MM. Dent. Landw. Gesell., 20 (1905), No. 6, pp. 29-32). — This name is applied to 

 the mixture of nitrates and nitrites obtained by neutralizing the mixture of nitric 

 and nitrous acid produced by oxidation of the nitrogen of the air under the influence 

 of electrical discharges. 



