430 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



solutions. Instead of attempting to sterilize such solutions the solid substances 

 should be sterilized by dry heat. 



The behavior of lime nitrogen in storage, H, von Feilitzen (Chem. Ztg., 32 

 (1908), Xo. -'/.■>, J). 5.',2; ahs. in Jour. iioc. Chem. Indus., 27 {1908), No. 13, p. 

 696). — Data are reiif)rted which indicate that "calcium cyanamid, when care- 

 fully packeil in wooden barrels, lined with paper, may be kejtt for many months 

 in good condition, and almost uncliant^ed in composition." 



Experiments with calcium cyanamid, 1907 {Ayr. Students' Gaz., n. ser., 13 

 {1908), No. 6, pp. 186, 187). — Comparative tests of ammonium sulphate, sodium 

 nitrate, and calcium cyanamid on barley and mangel-wurzels are briefly re- 

 ported. The conclusion drawn from the results of these tests " is that calcium 

 cyanamid judiciously applied, is a good nitrogenous manure on this soil." 



The fertilizing action of calcium cyanamid, S. de Grazia (Rend. Sor. Chim. 

 Roma, 5 {1907), No. 19, pp. 2U, 2.'/5).— The author studied the effect of varying 

 amounts of water in the soil on the fertilizing value of the cyanamid. The best 

 results were obtained with the larger amounts of water. This is thought to 

 be due to the fact that dicyandiamid is formed from the cyanamid in relatively 

 coucenti-ated solutions. 



The manufacture of calcium cyanamid, J. B. C. Kershaw {Electrical World, 

 51 (1908), No. 19, pp. 979-982, figs. 5).— The main features of the principal 

 processes which have been used in the manufacture of this material are briefly 

 described. 



The actual state of the nitrate of lime industry in Norway {Rev. Sci. 

 [Paris], 5. ser., 9 {1908), No. 17, pp. 532, 533).— Data are given as to the extent 

 to which Norwegian water power is being utilized in the manufacture of basic 

 lime nitrate. 



Phosphates, R. McMubtkie (Amer. Pert., 28 (1908), No. 6, pp. 8-13).— This 

 is a summary of information regarding the classification, mining, and handling 

 of mineral phosphates, the preparation of superphosphates, and the relative 

 fertilizing value of mineral phosphates, superphosphates, reverted phosphates, 

 and phosphatic slag. 



Tunisian phosphates, E. Bertainchand {Bui. Dir. Agr. Com. et Colon. 

 [Tunis], 12 (1908), No. .}(j, pp. 55-81; Bui. Agr. Algerie et Tunisie. l', (1908), 

 Nos. 9, lip. 225-232; 10, pp. 25 Jt-265).— The phosphate deposits of Tunis which 

 have been developed up to the present time are described, with analyses of 

 samples of the various phosphates. It is stated that the exportation of these 

 phosphates in 1907 amounted to 1,058,700 tons, derived from four different de- 

 posits. It is estimated that the exportations during 1908 will be considerably 

 larger. 



Attention is called to the fact that Tunisian soils are generally naturally de- 

 ficient in phosphates and are further impoverished by the growth and export of 

 products which exhaust the phosphate supply of the soil. The more extended 

 and systematic use of phosphates in Tunis is therefore recommended. 



The chemical methods used in examining the phosphates are briefly described. 



[Phosphate deposits in Tahiti] {Mark Lane Express, 98 {1908), No. IfOOl, 

 p. 6-'i5). — The British consul at Tahiti reports the discovery on the Society 

 Islands " of enormous deposits of phosphate of lime of an extremely rich char- 

 acter. It is estimated that on one island alone there are at least 30,000,000 tons 

 of the material, the analysis of which has shown from 05 to 85, and even 90 per 

 cent of pure phosphate of lime." 



Increased production of phosphate rock in 1907 (Tradesman. 59 (1908), 

 No. 9, pp. 918, 919). — It is stated that " the production of phosphate rock in the 

 United States in 1907 amounted to 2,265,343 long tons, valued at $10,()53,.558, an 

 increase over the production of 1906 of 184,386 long tons in quantity and of 



