1916] SOILS— FERTILIZERS. 219 



It was found that the ammonium salts, the ammonium-sodium sulphate and 

 ammonium chlorid gave results equal to those given by ammonium sulphate. 

 Ammonium carbonate was too unstable to be effectively handled. Lime nitrogen 

 when properly used gave results very little inferior to those given by the 

 other fertilizers. Ammonium nitrate was found to be an effective and easily 

 handled fertilizer. All the fertilizers gave increases in spite of the already 

 rather high producing power of the soil for beets, calcium nitrate being in 

 general more effective for this crop than sodium nitrate or ammonium nitrate. 



Fixation of atmospheric nitrogen, L. L. Summeks {Trails. Amer. Electro- 

 chem. Soc, 27 (1915), pp. 3S9-3S3, figs. 5).— This article reviews the known 

 processes of commercial nitrogen fixation, points out that the electrical processes 

 for nitrogen fixation have a very low efficiency, and maintains that combina- 

 tions of electrical and chemical methods promise the most important develop- 

 ments. Comparative figures are given showing the amount of energy neces- 

 sary per kilogram of nitrogen fixed, and the general economics of the subject 

 are discussed. 



The cyanamid process, F. S. Washbubn (Trans. Amer. Electrochem. Soc, 27 

 (1915), pp. S85-Jf07). — The details and economics of this and related processes 

 are discussed. 



The utilization of bones as fertilizer, P. Lavenir (Bol. Min. Agr. [Buenos 

 Aires], 19 (1915), No. S-9, pp. 569-576) .—The results of analyses of fresh, 

 degreased, and burned bones are reported and discussed, and methods of 

 treatment described. It is considered evident that for certain plants (especially 

 alfalfa) the treatment of bones by heat or with sulphuric acid to form super- 

 phosphate is not justified. 



A reconnoissance for phosphate in the Salt Biver Range, "Wyoming, G. R. 

 Mansfield (U. S. Geol. Survey Bui. 620-O (1916), pp. 331-349, pi. i).— This 

 report describes the geography and geology of the locality and reports a study 

 of the phosphate deposits. 



" The data thus far available indicate tliat the phosphate deposits of the 

 Salt River Range are probably inferior to those of southeastern Idaho both 

 in thickness and in quality. There is, however, a considerable body of medium- 

 grade rock which may be considered as a valuable reserve deposit. If the 

 plan of grinding and applying phosphate rock directly to the soil without 

 chemical treatment is found to produce beneficial results, some local demand 

 for this rock might be developed." 



The effect of superphosphate on the wheat yield in New South Wales, 

 W. L. Watebhouse (Dept. Agr. N. S. Wales, Sci. Bui. 10 (1913), pp. 10). — An 

 examination of the soils of the northern, western, and southern sections of 

 New South Wales led to the conclusion that there is a relation between the 

 responsiveness of these soils to the application of superphosphate in the pro- 

 duction of wheat and the phosphoric acid content of the soils. This relation 

 is more marked for the available phosphoric acid than for the total phosphoric 

 acid content. 



Evaporation of brine from Searles Lake, California, W. B. Hicks (U. S. 

 Oeol. Survey, Prof. Paper 98-A (1916), pp. 1-8, figs. 2). — In continuation of 

 experiments previously noted (E. S. R., 34, p. 425) samples of natural brine 

 from Searles Lake, Cal. (E. S. R., 33, p. 518), were subjected to fractional 

 evaporation and crystallization. " The data recorded indicates that carefully 

 controlled fractional evaporation and crystallization, possibly combined with 

 other treatment, promise much as a means of obtaining potassium from brines 

 similar to that of Searles Lake." 



