214 EXPEEIMENT STATION RECORD. 



The results tend to show that when properly used on suitable soils tbe four 

 fertilizers are practically of equal value per unit of nitrogen. The use of the 

 calcium nitrate and calcium cyanamid, however, is not advised unless they can 

 be purchased at a substantially lower price per unit of nitrogen. 



The calcium nitrate and cyanamid are described and their relative commer- 

 cial value as compared with sodium nitrate and ammonium sulphate is discussed. 



Calcium, nitrate, F. W. Dafebt and R. Miklauz {Ztschr. Landw. Yersuchsw. 

 Osterr., 16 (191S), No. 2, pp. ltJf-Jf6). — In experiments in the mixing of Nor- 

 wegian calcium nitrate with superphosphate it was found that when ordinary 

 commercial superphosphate containing free phosphoric and sulphuric acids was 

 mixed with commercial calcium nitrate containing some nitrite there was con- 

 siderable loss of nitrogen. With chemically pure products there was practically 

 no loss of nitrogen. 



Norwegian nitrate, C. von Seelhokst and Simmermacher (Jour. Landw., 

 60 (1912), No. 4, pp. S67, S68; abs. in Ztschr. Angexc. Ohem., 26 (191S), No. 2^, 

 Referatenteil p. 195; Chem. Abs., 7 (1913), No. 8, p. 1399) .—Treatment with 

 oil did not diminish hygroscopicity or reduce the tendency of the nitj*ate to 

 leach out of the soil. 



Burkheiser saJt, a nitrogenous fertilizer, A. Wieler (Deut. Landic. Presse, 

 39 (1912), No. 7//, pp. 847, 8^8; abs. in Ztschr. Angew. Chem., 26 (1913). No. 

 2Jf, Referatenteil, p. 195). — This salt is a by-product of gas making, the hydro- 

 gen sulphid formed during the process of gas making being converted into 

 sulphurous acid and made to combine with the ammonia present. The product 

 is a white, slightly alkaline salt containing a mixture of 2 parts of ammonium 

 sulphate and 1 part of ammonium sulphite. The salt has been recommended 

 for direct use as a fertilizer, but a question has been raised as to the possible 

 injurious effect of the sulphite. A few pot and field experiments have been 

 made, which showed no injury from this source, and indicate that the salt is 

 as effective as a fertilizer as pure ammonium sulphate. 



The use of phosphates in Victorian agriculture, J. W. Patesson and P. R. 

 Scott (Jour. Dept. Agr. Victoria, 11 (1913), Nos. 3, pp. 160-165, figs. 2; Jf, pp. 

 225-230, figs. 3). — The general deficiency in amount and availability of phos- 

 phoric acid in Victorian soils is pointed out. Dissolved phosphate is considered 

 best suited to supply this need. Moderate liming, especially on grazing lands, 

 is indicated as advisable by the experiments reported. 



The occurrence of potassium salts in the salines of the United States, 

 J. W. Ttjrrentine et al. (U. 8. Dept. Agr., Bur. Soils Bui. 94, pp. 96, figs. 3).— 

 This is a detailed report on one phase of the investigation of the fertilizer re- 

 sources of the United States recently authorized by Congress. Previous ac- 

 counts giving the principal results recorded in this report have been already 

 noted (E. S. R., 28, p. 725). The results recorded show that potassium Is 

 practically always present in the natural salines of the United States, and 

 sometimes in appreciable quantities, but " in no instance has an artificial or 

 a natural (subterranean) brine been found to contain potassium in such 

 amounts as to warrant its extraction commercially. 



" The concentrates, while containing more potassium than the brines from 

 which they were derived, do not contain sufficient of that substance to warrant 

 attempts at its extraction. 



" The bitterns derived from the manufacture of salt from sea water contain 

 potassium in such amounts as to make it appear that they could be evaporated 

 to make the so-called ' manure salts ' of a sufficiently great potassium content to 

 be valuable commercially. 



