SOILS FERTILIZERS. 225 



riiiening owing to the fact that the exi)eii(lituro of water, when potash fertilizers 

 were used, increased during the period of ripening. Phosphatic fertilizers, on 

 tile contrary, intensified the development of the cereals mainly in the first half 

 of their growth, but they accelerated the development and early ripening of 

 the grain to such an ext-ent that the absolute and relative expenditure of water 

 in the period of ripening was the least in crops which received phosphatic 

 fertilizer. The experiments showed that in chernozem soils phosphoric acid 

 is always in the minimum ; that potash salts if effective at all are so only in 

 the presence of phosphates ; and that nitrates, especially in the absence of 

 phosphates, produce slight or even negative results. 



Comparative investigations on the fertilizer action of nitrate and nitrite. 

 <). Kellner (Landw. Vers. Stat., 72 (1910), No. 3-'i, pp. 311-311 ; ab.s. in Jour. 

 Chcm. 8oc. [London], 98 {1910), No. 570, II, p. 3//0).— In pot experiments with 

 nitrate and nitrite and mixtures of the two even the smaller amounts of 

 nitrite retarded the early growth of oats but did not reduce the final yield as 

 compared with nitrate. When used at the rate of 166 kg. of nitrogen per hec- 

 tare (148 lbs. per acre) the nitrite interfered with germination. To avoid any 

 checking of early growth it is considered desirable to have the calcium nitrate 

 used as a fertilizer as free as possilile from nitrite. 



Some observations on the action of lime nitrogen, A. Stutzer ( Mitt. Deut. 

 Landw. GeseU., 25 {1910), No. 13, pp. 19-'/, 195). — The I'esults of experiments on 

 upland moor soils and on the use of lime nitrogen as a top-dressing are reported. 



There was no indication of the formation of dicyandiamid when lime nitrogen 

 was used on moor soils, and consequently the author thinks there is no danger 

 from this source. On the other hand, the experiments indicated that the 

 cyanamid was very slowly converted into available nitrogen compounds in the 

 moor soil. He observed no injury from late top-dressing with lime nitrogen 

 or from the use of dicyandiamid during the period of plant growth. 



Analysis of a sample of calcium cyanamid, Aeby (Bill. 8oc. Chiin. Bclg., 

 2.'t (1910), No. 1, p. 7). — Examination of a sample of this material, which gave 

 off a disagreeable and penetrating odor, showed the presence of 3.4 per cent of 

 calcium carbid. See also a previous note (E. S. R., 20, p. 1118). 



The production of nitrous acid and ammonia during the distillation of 

 water, E. Van Melckebeke (Bill. Soc. Cliini. Bclg.. 2'f (1910). No. 1, p. 7).— 

 Experiments undertaken to explain the disagreement of the results obtained 

 by Schoenbein and Carius regarding the production of nitrate of ammonia 

 during the evaporation of water are reported. The results, however, were 

 inconclusive. 



Economic geology of the feldspar deposits of the United States, E. S. 

 Bastin (U. S. Gcol. Survey Bui. Ji20, pp. 85, pis. 8). — This bulletin discusses 

 chemical and physical charactei's, origin and geologic occurrence, minerals of 

 the feldspar deposits, methods of mining, commercial availability of deposits, 

 methods of milling, uses, grades and prices, and production, and describes 

 deposits in different localities in the United States. Reference is made to the 

 work of Cushman of this Department on the use of feldspar as a fertilizer. 



Phosphates of the Pacific, P. Lemoine (Qiiinz. Colon., IJf (1910), No. 6, pp. 

 222, 223). — Data are given regarding the exploitation of phosphate deposits on 

 various islands in the Pacific Ocean. 



Phosphates of the oceanic islands, L. De Launay (Nature [Paris], 37 

 (1909), No. 1SG5, pp. 190, 191). — Data are given regarding the exploitation of 

 phosphate dejiosits on various islands in the Pacific Ocean. 



Phosphates of the Pacific, H. Courtet (Bui. Soe. Nat. Acelini. Franer, 56 

 (1909), PI). 279-288). — A brief summary of the principal facts in the articles 

 noted above. 



