426 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



and reports investigations from wliich he concludes tliat there may be con- 

 siderable nitrification in manure under certain conditions, particularly in loose 

 heaps insufficiently supplied with moisture. There was no indication of nitri- 

 fication in manure in deep stalls, and the process was reduced to a minimum in 

 well-compacted heaps kept moist with water or liquid manure. The author 

 questions whether it is practicable to preserve and handle the liquid and solid 

 manure separately as has been proposed. 



Concerning lime nitrogen and nitrogen lime, Konig (Abs. in Deut. Landio. 

 Presse, 31 (1910), No. 3^f, pp- 375, 876). — From results of numerous experi- 

 ments reported in various articles, it is concluded that lime nitrogen readily 

 absorbs water and carbon dioxid from the air, losing more or less nitrogen 

 when stored. The nitrogen lime has a disagreeable odor and is very dusty, 

 thus calling for extreme care in applying it. It may be mixed without injury 

 with potassium salts and Thomas slag, but should not be mixed with super- 

 phosphate. Lime nitrogen is not adapted to acid soils (upland moor soils), 

 to soils poor in lime, or to inactive sandy soils, nor should it be used as top- 

 dressing in warm weather. On clay soils and those of high absorptive capacity 

 that contain sufficient lime and have been fertilized with stable manure, lime 

 nitrogen may be used with advantage, the following points being observed : 



Lime nitrogen must be applied from S to 14 days before seeding. The 

 amount used should not exceed 300 kg. per hectare (supplying about 53.55 lbs. 

 nitrogen per acre). It should be thoroughly incorporated with the soil imme- 

 diately after broadcasting, being evenly distributed over the land when the 

 surface is not warm or moist to avoid loss of nitrogen. 



The action of different nitrogenous fertilizers such as lime nitrogen, lime 

 nitrate, and lime niti;ite on moor soil (Ztschr. Moorkultur u. Torfverwert., 

 8 (1910), No. 5, pp. 254, 255). — On moor soils well limed, lime nitrate gave 

 poorer results with oats and oil rape than sodium nitrate. Lime nitrite 

 exerted a positively injurious effect on both limed and unlimed soil and on 

 soil treated with carbonate of potash. These latter experiments were on raw 

 moor soil and better results were obtained on moor soils which had been longer 

 under cultivation. In field experiments with potatoes the results with the 

 nitrite on new moor soil were no better than in pot experiments. 



Investigations on the action of humus-silicic acid in sandy soils, A. Stut- 

 ZEE (Mitt. Deut. Landw. Gesell., 25 (1910), No. J,-), pp. 640-6-'/2).— Results of 

 pot experiments with oats to determine the action of humus-silicic acid on 

 nitrogen assimilation with sodium nitrate, using a basal fertilizer of Thomas 

 slag and 40 per cent potash salt on a sandy soil containing lime but poor in 

 humus, showed that there was neither an increase in yield nor a better nitrogen 

 assimilation. 



In pot experiments with oats using a sandy soil with a basal fertilizer of 

 Thomas slag, 40 per cent potash salt, iron oxid. and magnesium sulphate, and 

 a top-dressing of calcium nitrate, the soluble silicic acid applied with the addi- 

 tion of soluble carbohydrates gave no increase in nitrogen assimilation. 



The nitrates of Chile, L. de Launay (Nature [Parish, 38 (1910), No. 19U, 

 pp. 199-201, figs. 4; ais. in Rev. 8ci. [Paris'], 48 (1910). II, No. 12, pp. 872, 

 S73). — The origin and character of the nitrate deposits are briefiy discussed and 

 methods of exploitation are described. It is stated that the richer deposits have 

 already been exhausted and the percentage of nitrate in the crude material is 

 declining. The securing of a sufficient supply of fuel and water for purification 

 of the product is one of the most serious problems connected with the industry. 



Aluminum nitrogen (Monatsli. Landw. 8 (1910), No. 8, p. 264 ; abs. in 

 Zenthl. Atjr. Chrm.. 30 (1910). No. 9. p. 640).— A brief description is given of 

 Serpek's method of preparing this compound, which in its simplest form consists 



