322 EXPEEIMENT STATION EECOED, 



experiments dealt with tlie influence of temperature and of air on the forma- 

 tion and volatilization of ammonia and on the loss of free nitrogen and also 

 included a study of the decomposition of nitrogen compounds. 



It is the opinion of the authors that the most of the conclusions drawn from 

 the former experiments have been confirmed or at least not contradicted by 

 the results of the present investigation, viz, that stable manure fermented under 

 anaerobic conditions at a high temperature gave the best results, no loss of 

 nitrogen taking place either as ammonia or in the free state ; also that the 

 ammonia content of the manure was not a reliable measure of its action on the 

 plant. The question of what part the fermentation of the pentosans (fur- 

 furoids) play in the action of stable manure requires additional investigation. 

 The after effect of stable manure, as in the previous experiments, was found 

 to be small: the fresh stable manure showed the most, and that fermented at 

 a high temperature the least, after effect. 



Experiments with green manures, Baessleb (Mitt. Dent. Landw. Gesell., 

 25 (1910). Xo. 18, pp. 263-267). — A series of experiments to determine the 

 relative efficiency as green manures of serradella furnishing 155 kg. of nitrogen 

 per hectare (138.35 lbs. per acre) and lupines furnishing 208 kg. of nitrogen 

 per hectare (185.65 lbs. per acre) during three successive years is reported. 

 The crop succession with the serradella was oats the first year and winter rye 

 the second and third years; with lupines, potatoes the first year and winter 

 rye the second and third years. 



With both green manures there was a decided increase in yield on poor 

 sandy soils. The effect of the manures was most marked the first year. The 

 results were slightly better with lupines than with serradella the second year, 

 but were about equal the third year. Green manuring in the fall gave better 

 results than spring green manuring in the case of lupines, but the difference 

 was less pronounced with serradella. There was little or no difference on the 

 average between deep and shallow plowing under of the green manure. With 

 shallow fall green manuring, about 31 per cent of the nitrogen was utilized by 

 crops, and a slightly smaller percentage with deep plowing under of the 

 manure. The utilization was slightly better for fall than for spring green 

 manuring. 



As compared with nitrate of soda, taken as 100, the utilization of the nitro- 

 gen of the green manure was on the average for the first year 48.2 per cent, 

 the second year 10.1 per cent, and the third year 2.6 per cent. The incidental 

 effect of the green manures in improving soil conditions was quite marked the 

 first year, still pi-onounced the second year, but small the third year after 

 application. 



On the time that should elapse between the turning under of green 

 manure and the sowing of the cultivated plants, S. de Grazia (Ann. R. Stnz. 

 Chim. Agr. Spcr. Ronui, 2. sen, 3 {li)OU). pp. 33-37). — The results of trials in 

 1007-8 with flax and wheat and in 1908-9 with fodder corn are reported. The 

 green manures used were barley and rye and beans and vetch. In the first 

 year intervals of 0, 10, 25, and 40 days were compared and in the second and 

 24 days. 



The flax was much less influenced by a difference in the interval than was 

 the wheat. The results with fodder corn were not conclu.sive. 



On the selection of plants for green manure, S. de Grazia (Ann. R. Staz. 

 Chim. Ayr. ^pcr. Rotna. 2. scr.. 3 ( VJI)9). pp. SD-J/l). — A crucifer and a number 

 of legumes were comjiared, but the only definite conclusion drawn is that the 

 crucifer showed itself equal to and in several cases superior to the legumes. 



