1!U9] 



SOILS — FERTILIZERS. 725 



Hon of ammonia under these conditions. It does not sensibly retard the 

 formation of ammonia from eyamimid. Dicyanodl&mld does not appear to 

 affect so drastically the other organisms of the soil, esi>ecially those concerned 

 in the decomposition of protein. It exerts little influence upon the numbers 

 developing on gelatin plates or the rate and extent of the decomposition of 

 dried blood." 



A geologic reconnaissance for phosphate and coal in southeastern Idaho 

 and western Wyoming, A. R. Schultz ( U. S. Oeol. Survey Bui. 680 (1918), 

 pp. 84, pis. 2, figs. 8; abs. in U. S. Gcol. Survey Press Bui. 1,01 (1919), p. 1).— 

 This bulletin describes extensive phosphate deposits In the region of the Big- 

 hole Mountains in Teton County, Idaho, and in other districts in this part 

 of Idaho and adjacent areas of Wyoming. The phosphate areas are mapped in 

 detail, and the quality of phosphate is described. 



Analyses reported Indicate the presence of some high-grade ore containing 

 approximately the equivalent of 70 per cent tricalcium phosphate. 



Rational preparation of superphosphates, A. Aita (.4 tin. Chim. Appl. 

 [Rome], 10 (1918), No. 5-8, pp. 45-108, figs. 8; abs. in Chem. Abs., IS (1919), 

 No. 5, pp. 491-493). — This is an account of a somewhat detailed study of the 

 relation of the technical process of manufacturing superphosphates to the 

 chemical and mechanical character of the product. 



Conversion of insoluble phosphates, A. McA. Johnston (Jour. Chem. Metal- 

 lurij. and Min. Soc. So. Africa, 18 (1917), No. 5, pp. 140, I'll; abs. in Chem. Abs., 

 IS (1919), No. 1, p. 53). — Tests of a fusion process similar to that of Wolters 

 are reported. By fusing 25 gm. of 21 per cent Saldanha Bay phosphate with 

 17.5 gm. of NaHSO«, 11 gm. calcium carbonate, and 1.5 gm. of powdered coke, 

 there was obtained a product containing 13.8 per cent of phosphoric acid, 12.4 

 per cent of which was soluble in 2 per cent citric acid. 



Potash in 1917, H. S. Gale and W. B. Hicks (U. S. Geol. Survey, Min. Re- 

 sources U. S., 1917, pt. 2, pp. IV +897-481, fig. 1).— This is a detailed report 

 upon the production of potash in the United States and elsewhere during 1917, 

 with a full bibliography of the subject. 



Potash, W. W. Bradley (Cal. State Min. Bur. Bui. 88 (1918), pp. 109-111).— 

 The total output of potash materials in California in 1917 is given as 129,022 

 tons, including refined muriate and sulphate, kelp ash and dried kelp, and 

 cement-mill dust. It is stated that the larger part of the output is used by 

 fertilizer manufacturers. The crude salts from Searles Lake are stated to 

 contain approximately 60 per cent of potassium chlorid and 30 per cent of 

 borax, with smaller amounts of other constituents. 



Chemical analyses of marine algse, C. Sattvageau (Rev. Gen. Sci., 29 (1918), 

 No. 19, pp. 541-551; rev. in Nature [London], 102 (1919), No. 2578, pp. 494, 

 .'/.>">). — The unsatisfactory state of knowledge regarding the exact chemical 

 composition of different kinds of seaweed is discussed. More exact separation 

 and identification of the species analyzed and determinations of their age and 

 conditions of growth are especially urged. 



Sulphate of potash and sulphate of potash and magnesia as potato fer- 

 tilizers, Schneidewind (Landw. ~\Ychnschr. Sachsen, 19 (1917), No. 5; Zentbl. 

 Agr. Chem., ^7 (1918), No. 2-8, pp. 67, 68; abs. in Chem. Abs., 12 (1918), No. 23, 

 p. 2650). — "As the result of 3-year experiments these salts are recommended for 

 spring fertilizers for potatoes in preference to those containing chlorin." 



Waste lime from acetylene manufacture (Jour. Bd. Agr. [London], 25 

 (1919), No. 10, pp. 1208-1205) .— Tests made in pots and field plats of the fer- 

 tilizing value of this material at Oxford aud Leeds Universities and at Rotham- 

 sted are reported. 



