1919] SOILS — FERTILIZEES. 723 



Utilization of nitrogenous refuse, E. Donath and G. Uleich {Chem. Ztg., 

 1911, No. 20, pp. 165-168; abs. in Ztschr. Angew. Chem., 31 (1918), No. 56, Ref., 

 p. 218; Chem. Abs., 13 {1919), No. 9, p. 985).— It has been found that when 

 refuse such as leather and horn waste, which is rich in nitrogen, is heated 

 with waste sulphuric acid to about 300° a portion of the nitrogen is converted 

 into ammonium sulphate and recovered, and the remainder is obtained in the 

 form of a highly nitrogenous charcoal. Products which are practically dry and 

 rich In ammonium sulphate are obtained by heating for several hours at over 

 240°. If large proportions of acid are used, pasty products are obtained from 

 which fertilizer mixtures may be prepared by combining them with ground 

 lime or phosphate. The yield of ammonium sulphate can be Increased by carry- 

 ing out the process in the presence of certain catalytic agents at preferably 250 

 to 270°. 



Field trials with the newer nitrogenous fertilizers, S. Rhouin (A'. Landtbr. 

 Akad. Handl. och Tidskr., 51 {1918), No. 1-8, pp. US-^ll; abs. in Chem. Abs., 

 13 {1919), No. 9, p. 986). — Tests of calcined catalyzers for use with calcium 

 cyanamid to improve its physical condition are reported. The catalyzers con- 

 sisted mostly of by-products from iron and stone works containing iron, man- 

 ganese, and aluminum. Sodium chlorid and powdered charcoal were also used. 



The results of field trials were so contradictory with respect to most of the 

 catalyzers that no definite conclusions could be drawn except regarding pow- 

 dered charcoal. The pronounced results obtained with this substance are 

 thought to be due to its great absorptive power. Further field trials comparing 

 Chili sodium nitrate with Norwegian nitrate, basic Norwegian niti'ate, calcium 

 cyanamid, German ammonium sulphate, Swedish ammonium sulphate, and Nor- 

 wegian ammonium nitrate are reported. The largest crop increase was obtained 

 with ammonium nitrate followed by the different other nitrates, all of which 

 gave essentially the same results. Ammonium sulphate v/as third in value, and 

 the smallest crop increases were obtained with calcium cyanamid. 



Recovery of high percentage calcium phosphate in connection with am- 

 monia in fecal matter, J. Gonne {Chem. Ztg., 43 {1919), No. 10, pp. 39, 40; abs. 

 in Chem. Abs., 13 {1919), No. 12, p. 1355). — A combined distillation and precipi- 

 tation process is very briefly described for the recovery of ammonia in different 

 commercial forms and of phosphates of 40 to 44 per cent water solubility with 

 a by-product of a fertilizer similar to guano. 



Bisulphate superphosphate, G. Lefort {Vie Agr. et Rurale, 9 {1919), No. 36, 

 pp. 112-116). — This is a discussion and brief desci'iption of the manufacture of 

 superphosphate by treatment of phosphate rock with sodium bisulphate instead 

 of sulphuric acid. Analyses show that such superphosphate contains from 8 to 

 10 per cent water-soluble phosphoric acid and from 9 to 12 per cent citrate- 

 soluble phosphoric acid. It also contains from 21 to 25 per cent of sodium 

 sulphate. 



Comparative results with different phosphatic manures {County Northumb. 

 Ed. Com., Bui. 29 {1919), pp. 55-58).— Comparative tests of high, low, and 

 medium grade slags and bone meal with hay showed that the slag of greatest 

 citrate solubility gave poorer results than the slag of medium citrate solubility, 

 but better than the slag of lowest citrate solubility. Bone meal gave on the 

 average poorer results than basic slag. 



New experiments in potash fertilization, H. G. Soderbaum {Meddel. Cen- 

 tralanst. Forsoksv. Jordbniksommdet, No. Ill {1918), pp. 14; also in K. Lantbr. 

 Akad. Handl. och Tidskr., 51 {1918), No. 1-8, pp. 501-512; ahs. in Chem. Abs., 13 

 {1919), No. 9. p. 986). — Experiments are reported with salts made up to simu- 

 late such salts as may be obtained by the evaporation of sea watex", and char- 

 153351°— 20 3 



