24 EXPEEIMEXT STAllOX EECORD. 



Composition of liqiiid manure as shown by agricultural investigations in 

 southern Switzerland, C. Dusserke (Ann. Agr. Suisse, 16 {1915), Xo. 1, pp. 

 83-88). — Analyses of 23 samples of typical liquid manure from southern 

 Switzerland show that potassium is the fertilizing element present in the greatest 

 amounts, and that liquid manure from that locality is essentially a potash- 

 nitrogen fertilizer and should be completed by adding a phosphatic fertilizer. 

 The average of the analyses shows that the fertilizing elements are present in 

 the proportion of 100 parts of nitrogen to 2S5 parts of potassium to 4 parts of 

 phosphoric acid. 



Observations on the relative value of the most important nitrogen 

 fertilizers, S. Oswald, W. Webeb, and T. Remy (Landw. Jahrb., 47 (1914), Xo. 

 1, pp. 79-106; abs. in Internal. Inst. Agr. [Rome], Mo. Bui. Agr. Intel, and Plant 

 Diseases, 6 (1915), No. 3, pp. 392-394; Chem. Abs., 9 (1915), No. 12, p. 1651; 

 Chem. Zcntbl., 1915, I, No. 5, p. 215). — The authors review work by themselves 

 and others bearing on the subject, and report the results of seven years' field ex- 

 periments with sugar beets, rye. oats, potatoes, and pt^as on a relatively fertile 

 deep loam soil to determine the relative values of soilium nitrate, ammonium 

 sulphate, blood meal, and lime nitrogen as sources of nitrogen. 



Considering all incidental expenses. It was found that the average Increased 

 crop values produced by the different fertilizers were so nearly the same that the 

 differences fall within the limits of error. It Is concluded from these result.«« 

 that it is impossible to express by figures the relative values of the different 

 nitrogen fertilizers tested, since the working value of each fertilizer varies with 

 the conditions under which it is used. The superiority founrl by others for 

 .sodium nitrate is attributtxl to the facts that it has practically no after effect and 

 that its relative availability to plants makes its activity le.ss dependent on the 

 conditions under which it is used t)mn that of the otlier fertilizers. The average 

 effective values of sodium nitrate and ammonium sulphate were practically the 

 same. Lime nitrogen proved to be especially valuable In Increasing the yield of 

 beets and potatoes, being in this respect practically equal to sodium nitrate. A 

 mixture of lime nitrogen and sodium nitrate is recommended for sugar and red 

 beets. 



The better method of using ammonium suljAate. L. Matjt.ax'x (Vie Agr. et 

 Ituralr, 5 (1915), Xo. 4' PP- 61-6Sr). — Experiments are reixirteil In which the 

 author observed the influiMice of ammonium sulphate fertilization in a fertile 

 sandy clay soil when applie<l at the surface and at depths of 5, 10. 17, and 3<1 cm. 

 The ammonium sulphate was applied at the rate of 400 kg. per hectare (.3r>G lbs. 

 per acre), and part of each plat was kept fallow and part planted to sugar beets. 



The results with reference to nitrification of ammonium sulphate were fairly 

 concordant in both fallow and cropped soils, but more nitrate was found in the 

 former. In general the most nitrate was found in the layers from 10 to 120 an<l 

 from 20 to .30 cm. in depth in the plats fertilized at different depths. When fer- 

 tilized at the surface the most nitrate was found in the top 10 cm. of .soil. The 

 best yield of sugar beets was obtained when ammonium sulphate was addtxl at a 

 depth of 10 cm., but good yields were obtained at the other depths of fertiliza- 

 tion, ^luch smaller yields were obtained with surface fertilization. The effect 

 of fertilization at 5 cm. depth was much slower than at other depths, and the 

 beets were mostly top. 



From these results It Is conclude<l that surface fertilization with ammonium 

 sulphate under similar conditions Is not practical, and that for sugar beet.s 

 ammonium .sulphate had best be applitxl In the spring at a depth of 10 cm. 



See also a note of similar experiments with so<llum nitrate (E. S. R. 30. p. 

 623). 



