SOILS FERTILIZERS. 721 



Progress in the fixation of nitrogen in Scandinavia {Jour. Indus, and 

 Engin. Chem., 6 (1914), No. 2, pp. 163, 16/t).— This is a brief note on the success- 

 ful commercial development of the process for oxidizing ammonia to nitric acid 

 by means of the catalytic action of platinum as proposed by Ostwald. Reference 

 is made to works at Odda and Aura, Norway, and to proposed factories in 

 England, Scotland, and Ireland. 



Methods ''of making ammonium sulphate from the sulphur and ammonia 

 in coal gas, M. Diosmarets (Rev. G6n. Chim., 16 {1918), No. 2^, pp. 405-^11, 

 figs. S). — The methods of Feld, Burkheiser, and others are described and their 

 industrial value compared. 



The organic synthesis of ammonia, O. Seepek {Ztschr. Angcw. Chem., 27 

 {1914), ^^0. 8, Aufsatzicil, pp. 4I-48). — Investigations bearing upon the develop- 

 ment of processes for the purpose are reviewed and the industrial possibilities 

 of such i)rocesses are discussed. 



The industrial synthesis of nitric acid and ammonia, C. Matignon {Chem. 

 Trade Jour., 54 {1914), Nos. 1391, pp. 6S-70; 1393, pp. 155, 156; 1394, PP- 179, 

 180). — A detailed description of the various processes utilized for the prepara- 

 tion of the above-named substances from atmospheric nitrogen. The produc- 

 tion of cyanamid is also considered. 



Effect of soluble humates on nitrogen fijxation and plant growth, W. B. 

 BoTTOMLEY {Rpt. Brit. Assoc. Adv. Sci., 1913; abs. in Jour. Soc. Chem. Indus., 

 S2 {1913), No. 18, p. 919).— "The insoluble humic acid present in peat is 

 converted into soluble humate by the action of certain aerobic soil bacteria 

 and the treated peat, after sterilization, forms a suitable medium for nitrogen- 

 fixing bacteria; it is inoculated with the latter and either applied directly to 

 the soil or used for the preparation of a culture solution. The prepared peat 

 not only increases the fixation of nitrogen by the soil but also has a favorable 

 effect on plant growth. Considerably increased yields of radishes, lettuce, 

 turnips, and potatoes have been obtained with it." 



Ammonium humate as a source of nitrogen for plants, W. B. Bottomlky 

 {Rpt. Brit. Assoc. Adv. Sci., 1913; ahs. in Jour. Soc. Chem. Indus., 32 {1913), 

 No. 18, p. 920). — "Ammonium humate has been found capable of supplying 

 the nitrogen need of plants if soluble phosphates and potassium salts be 

 present; it promotes the general growth and has a remarkable effect on the 

 root development of i>lants. It is prepared by extracting bacteria-treated peat 

 (see preceding abstract) with water, precipitating humic acid from the solu- 

 tion by hydrochloric acid, and dissolving the washed precipitate in ammonia 

 solution." 



The bacterial treatment of peat, W. B. Bottomley {Jour. Roy. Soc. Arts, 

 62 {1914), No. 3199, pp. 373-380). — This is a more detailed account of the 

 investigations briefly noted above, with a discussion of the paper in which at- 

 tention is called particularly to the claim of the author that peat "humated" 

 by chemical means did not show the stimulating effect of the " bacterized " 

 peat; and his suggestion that since the effects noted can not be due to the 

 small amounts of plant food supplied there must be something in the prepared 

 peat, possibly similar to the accessory bodies in foods, " which has the effect 

 of stimulating and promoting growth in an extraordinary manner." The 

 method of preparing the " bacterized " peat is not disclosed. 



The solubility of mineral phosphates in citric acid, G. S. Robertson {Jour. 

 Soc. Chem. Indus., 33 {1914), No. 1, pp. 9-11). — A comparison is made of the 

 solubility in 2 per cent citric acid of the phosphoric acid in basic slag, bone 

 meal, Tunisian raw rock phosphate, and calcined Belgian rock phosphate, with 

 the results obtained with these phosphates in field experiments with grass. 



