SOILS FERTILIZERS, 625 



2 and 3. 30.7 kg. (87.34 lbs.). Choniical analyses showed a loss of nitrojj;on of 

 7.1, 19.8, and 11.1 per cent for the resi)ective periods, as the difference between 

 the nitrogen in the feed and litter and that in the milk, manure, and (calcu- 

 lated) increase in body weight during the different periods. The amounts 

 of total and soluble nitrogen in the manure per head daily were as follows: 

 Peat litter, 222.5 and 95.5 gm., respectively, straw litter 190.3 and 77.5 gm., 

 and shavings 204 and 77.3 gm. 



The manure produced on the different i>eriods was carefully stored for about 

 3i months during the winter and the losses in volume and weight determined 

 as 5.3, 19.9, and 2.6 per cent in volume, and 3.9. 19.1, and 11.2 per cent, for peat, 

 straw, and shavings litter in weight, respectively. The corresponding losses 

 of nitrogen during storage were determined as total nitrogen, 7.4, 20, and 7.5 

 per cent, and ammoniacal nitrogen, 4.7, 51.3. and 20.6 per cent, respectively. 

 By the application of peat litter in the dairy barn there was a saving at the 

 rate of about 19i kg. (42.9 lbs.) of soluble nitrogen per head yearly, more 

 than in the case of straw litter, and 124 kg. (27.5 lbs.) more than in the case 

 of shavings litter. 



Fertilizer experiments with the three kinds of manure were inaugurated 

 and will be reported later. Complete data relative to the chemical analyses 

 of the feeds, litter, milk, and manure, and the temperature readings in the 

 manure piles are given. 



Investigations on the disinfection of manure by careful packing', H. Bohtz 

 (Arl). K. Gsndhtsamt., 33 (1910), No. 2, pp. 313-362; abs. in Chem. ZcntU., 

 1910, I, No. 10, p. 858). — It is shown that by careful construction of the manure 

 heap a sutficieutly high temperature may be obtained to destroy almost all 

 animal disease oi'ganisms. A few of the more resistant forms are not killed, 

 but their activity is greatly reduced. The precautions necessary are thorough 

 moistening, careful mixing of the manure and litter in the proportion of about 

 2 : 3, protection from weathering by covering with materials which are poor 

 conductors of heat, and moderately loose packing. The addition of 10 per 

 cent of milk of lime or of suiier phosphate and kainit did not interfere with 

 the height or dui'ation of the temperature. 



The conservation of kraal manure, H. G. Mundy (Rliodcsian Agr. Jour., 7 

 (1910), No. 5, pp. 1376-1379). — The importance of conserving this manure is 

 discussed and methods of constructing kraals and handling the manure to 

 bring this about are described. 



The cooperation of micro-org'anisms in the decomposition of green manures, 

 B. Heinze (Landiv. Mitt. Prov. Saehscn. u. Nachharstaat. Halle, 1909, pp. 169, 

 170; ahs. in Centbl. Bakt. [etc.], 2. Abt., 26 (1910), No. 25, pp. 685, W-Stf).— Ex- 

 periments on the decomposition of green manures indicate that the addition to 

 the soil of small quantities of bai-nyard manure to be plowed under with the 

 green crops will hasten decomposition by furnishing fermenting organisms 

 which immediately act on the green material. At the same time, if small 

 amounts of potash and phosphoric acid are used, they will cpiifken the ferment- 

 ing and rotting i)rocessos and furnish available food for Azotobacter. 



The utilization of peat as a source of nitrogen for plant food. II. 1). II.vs- 

 KiNS (Jour. Amer. Peat Soe., 3 (1910), No. 2, pp. J,l-'i6, fig. i).— Pot exi)ori- 

 ments wnth millet are reported showing that in a comparison of sodium nitrate, 

 ammonium sulphate, calcium cyanamid, blood, cotton-seed meal, and peat, the 

 latter showed the lowest rate of availability of nitrogen. The availal)ility of 

 the nitrogen of the peat was apparently increased by treating the material 

 with acid. The use of peat as a drier and filler in fertilizers is referred to. but 

 a que.^tion is raised as t<^ whether this can be legally done under the fertilizer 

 laws of various States. 



