220 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD, 



The sources of nitrogen and nitrogen fertilizing, W. Schneidewind {Die 

 Stickstoffquellen unci die Slickstoffdihiyung. Berlin, 1908, pp. VII+139; rev. 

 in Centhl. Bakt. [etc.], 2. Aht., 21 {1908), lYo. JS-IJ,, pp. ^37-i'/0).— This book 

 summarizes present information on these subjects under the following heads: 

 General considerations relating to gain and loss of nitrogen through natural 

 processes, fallow, green manuring, barnyard manure, nitrogenous fertilizers, 

 nitrogen removed from soils by different crops, and fertilizers for special 

 crops. 



The content of combined nitrogen in the air, P. Vageler {Fiihling's Landic. 

 Ztg., 57 {1908), \o. 4, pp. 140-151). — This article gives a very complete sum- 

 mary of data on this subject. The principal deduction drawn from the data 

 is that the amount of nitrogen carried down to the soil in atmospheric precipi- 

 tation is too small to-be of very great practical significance, and for this reason 

 we must look to the soil organisms which fix free nitrogen for any important 

 increase in the nitrogen of the soil from atmospheric sources. 



The nitrogen problem in agriculture {Nature [Loudon], 77 {1908), Ao. 1997, 

 pp. 330, 331). — This is a review of a report by W. B. Bottomley on seed and 

 soil inoculation for leguminous crops, which is mainly a summary of practical 

 experiments with the pure cultures prepared and distributed in Great Britain 

 by him. The worthless character of most of these reports from a scientific 

 standpoint is pointed out, as well as the extravagant character of some of the 

 claims made by Professor Bottomley with reference to the benefits which may 

 be obtained from the use of the inoculating material. 



Field experiments with different nitrogenous fertilizers, Kleberger {IUus. 

 Landw. Ztg., 28 (1908), No. 21, pp. 185-187). — Comparative tests of nitrate of 

 soda, sulphate of ammonia, and nitrogen lime on rape, oats, potatoes, sugar 

 beets, and fodder beets are reported. The effects of applications of barnyard 

 manure and of green manuring were also tested. 



Norwegian and Chilean nitrate, H. von Feilitzen and L. Grandeau {Jour. 

 Agr. Prat., n. ser., 15 {1908), No. 7, pp. 196-198).— A brief account is here given 

 of comparative tests of these materials at the Swedish -Moor Culture Stations 

 at J(>nkoping and Flahnlt. See also a previous note (E. S. It., 10, p. 124). 



Calcium cyanamid (nitrogen lime or lime nitrogen) as a fertilizer, H. 

 IMMENDORFF aud K. Kempski {Calciumcyanamid {Stickstoffkalk Oder Kalk- 

 stickstoff) al.s Diingemittel. Stuttgart, 1907, pp. 123; rev. in Centhl. Bakt. 

 [etc.], 2. Abt., 20 {1908), No. 10, p. 304; Ztschr. Landw. Versuchsw. Osterr., 11 

 {1908), No. 2, pp 149, 150). — This is a review of previous investigations and 

 of the pi-esent status of knowledge on this subject. Chapters are devoted to 

 consideration of (1) the nitrogen question in general, and the history of inves- 

 tigations relating to the utilization of atmospheric nitrogen through the agency 

 of root tubercles and by oxidation processes; (2) the development of carbid 

 methods; (3) various processes which have been developed for the preparation 

 of lime nitrogen and nitrogen lime and the technical application of these 

 processes in different places; (4) a review of information relating to the chem- 

 ical and bacteriological characteristics and ti'ansformation in the soil of lime 

 nitrogen and nitrogen lime, and of the agricultural use of cyanamid including 

 a consideration of the possible poisonous propei'ties of cyanamid and their 

 influence upon vegetable and animal life; and (5) an elaborate compilation of 

 the results of fertilizer experiments with different crops and soils in various 

 countries. 



Some of the more important facts i-elating to the use of calcium cyanamid 

 as a fertilizer brought out in this discussion are as follows: The material is 

 not suited to acid humus soils nor to light sandy soils of acid reaction. It is 



