SOILS — FERTILIZERS. 323 



Raw phosphate and green manure, S. de Gbazia (Ann. R. Staz. Cliim. Agr. 

 i<pcr. Roma, 2. set:, 3 (1909), pp. 37-39). — This is a continuation of work 

 previously noted (E. S. R., 21, p. 25). 



In the year's work reported, cruciferte were compare<l with legumes as green 

 manures in conjunction witli raw phosphate, superphosphate, and slag. In 

 spite of individual variations it is concluded that pulverized raw phosphates 

 show notable efficacy especially when combined with green manure from plants 

 capable of assimilating insoluble phosphates. 



The cost of available nitrogen, E. B. Voorhees (Jour. Indus, and Engin. 

 Cfiem., 2 (1910). No. .',, pp. 153-155) .—See a previous note (E. S. R., 22, 

 p. 620). 



Tests of the fertilizing value of synthetic calcium nitrate, N. Passerini 

 (Bol. 1st. Agr. Scandicci, 2. scr., 7 (1908), No. 2, pp. 205-209).— Already noted 

 from another source (E, S. R., 20, p. 723). 



Some established facts regarding the natural changes in cyanamid 

 nitrogen in the soil and their application in farm fertilization, R. Perotti 

 (Staz. Sper. Agr. ItaL, U (1909), Xo. 8, pp. 521-536; abs. in Chem. ZentU., 

 1909, II, No. 21, p. ISIS). — The first fact which the author regards as definitely 

 established is that nitrogen in the form of cyanamid is poisonous to plants; 

 next, that the poisonous cyanamid nitrogen is, by means of certain agencies 

 in the soil, rendered harmless to vegetation and of fertilizing value; next, 

 that micro-organisms have a part, though perhaps indirectly, in these changes, 

 and that through their action as well as through physical and chemical changes 

 cyanamid nitrogen is converted into ammoniacal nitrogen, the formation of 

 urea being an intermediate step ; next, that dicyaudiamid is not strongly poison- 

 ous and in certain conditions can serve as a source of nitrogen for micro- 

 organisms and for plants ; and finally, that the opportunity exists to fix definitely, 

 with further studies, a method of combining calcium cyanamid with other 

 substances to form a satisfactory fertilizer. 



The manufacture of nitric acid from the air, F. Haber (Ztschr. Angew. 

 Chem., 23 (1910), No. 15, pp. 68Jf-689). — This article discusses the principles 

 upon which various commercial processes for the manufacture of nitric acid 

 from the air are based. 



The fixation of atmospheric nitrogen by the electric arc (Rev. Elcctrochim. 

 et Electromctah, // (1910), No. 3, pp. Ji2-Jt.'t, figs. 2). — This is an account of the 

 first factory established in France (Roche de Rame) for the manufacture of 

 nitrates from the air by the Pauling process. 



The great nitrate deposits of Chile (An. Sac. Rural Argentina, .'/// (1910), 

 No. (H, pp. 3-10. figs. 7). — These deposits as well as the methods of their ex- 

 ploitation are described. 



[Production, exportation, and consumption of nitrate of soda in 1909], 

 C. Otero (Asoe. »SV/?. Propaganda, Circ. Trimest. 50, 1910, pp. II. HI). — Accord- 

 ing to this report of the Nitrate of Soda Propaganda the production of nitrate 

 in Chile in lOOO was about 2,326,646 tons as compared with 2,172,356 tons in 

 1908; the exportation in inOO was 2,352,006 tons as compared with 2,260,493 

 tons in 1908 ; the consumption in 1909 was 2,255.301 tons as compared with 

 2,024.121 tons in 1908. 



Fertilizer experiments with different kinds of Thomas slag, B. Sjollema 

 and J. C. DE RuiJTER de Wildt (Verslag. Landbonick. Onderzoek. ff/y/r.s/rt/u/- 

 houivproefstat. [Netherlands], 1910, No. 7, pp. 1-25, fig. 1). — The pot and cylin- 

 der experiments with oats followed by mustard here rei)orted were undertaken 

 to determine whether the Wagner citric acid method gives an accurate measure 

 of the fertilizing value of different kinds of Thomas slag. 

 54345°— No. 4—10 3 



