SOILS FERTILIZEKS. 523 



corrosive as asserted by Frank. The author believes that such corrosive 

 action as is observed should be ascribed to the cyauamid, for in normal soils 

 of alkaline reaction dicyandiamid or even its sulphate can have but a brief 

 existence in the soil, being rapidly changed to ammonia. 



The properties of calcium cyanamid in relation to water, air, and bacteria, 

 L. Grandeau (Jour. Agr. Prat., n. scr., 15 (1908), No. 21, pi). 6V,,5, 6.',6). — This 

 is a brief summary of the main conclusions from investigations by Wagner 

 (E. S. R., 19, p. 627) on this subject. 



Recent work on calcium cyanamid and its fertilizing value, L. Grandeau 

 (Jour. Agr. Prat., n. ser., 15 (1908), No. 20, pp. 613, 6i//).— This is a brief 

 summary of the main conclusions drawn from recent worli by ImmendorfC 

 and Wagner (E. S. R.. 19, pp. 424, 627), relating especially to the chemical 

 and biological changes whicli occur in calcium cyanamid in the soil. 



Transformation of the nitrogen of calcium cyanamid in cultivated soils, 

 L. Grandeau (Joitr. Agr. Prat., n. .scr.. 15 (1908), No. 23, pp. 709-711).— This is 

 a brief review, mainly of work by Wagner (E. S. R.. 19, p. 627) on the rate of 

 transformation in the soil of the nitrogen of cyanamid into ammonia and nitric 

 acid, showing that the rate of such transformation is to a large extent depend- 

 ent upon the character of the soil. 



Investig'ations on the g-aseous products of decomposition of lime nitrogen 

 and their effect on plant growth, E. Haselhoff (Landw. Vers. Stat., 68 

 (1908), No. 3-i, pp. 189-228; ahs. in Chem. Ztg., 32 (1908), No. .',S, Repert., p. 

 311; Chem. ZentM., 1908, I, No. 26, p. 2199; Jour. Chem. Soc. [London], Si 

 (1908). No. 550, II, p. 728). — It is shown that in the decomposition of lime nitro- 

 gen in water, ammonia, acetylene, hydrogen phosphid, and hydrogen sulphid 

 ;ire formed. It was found that these gases exert an injurious effect on germi- 

 nation, and this effect is to be attributed primarily to free ammonia and 

 hydrogen phosphid. The results of pot experiments and water cultures showed 

 the injurious effect of these gases on growing plants, and in the water cultures 

 hydrogen sulphid was also found to be decidedly injurious. Injurious effects of 

 acetylene were not observed. 



Fertilizer experiments with lime nitrogen on winter grain and sugar beets, 

 A. VON Liebenberg (Ztschr. Laiulir. Versuchsic. Osterr., 11 (1908), No. 3. pp. 

 153-180). — The lime nitrogen was less effective than nitrate of soda and sul- 

 phate of ammonia on the grain, apparently being slower in action. With sugar 

 beets the results reported are inconclusive. 



Experiments in 1907 with nitrate of lime in comparison with nitrate of 

 soda, R. DE LiMAY (Bui. Soc. Agr. France, n. ser., JfO (1908), May 1, Sup., pp. 

 286-289). — Experiments with oats and barley are briefly noted, in which the 

 effect of the two niti-ates was practically the same. 



Cold, the checking of growth, and the use of nitrates, L. Grandeau (Jour. 

 Agr. Prat., n. scr.. 15 (1908). No. 18. pp. 5 ',9, .5.5()).— Attention is called to the 

 beneficial effect of applications of nitrate of soda in overcoming injury by cold 

 in case of cereals, potatoes, beets, asparagus, and other vegetables. 



The manufacture of nitrates, E. Bazin (Bnl. Soc. Agr. France, n. ser., ^0 

 (1908), May 1, Sup., pp. 323-328, figs. 2).— The construction of a peat niter bed 

 on the principle described by Miintz and Laine (E. S. R., 18, p. 4.30) is described. 



Atmospheric nitrogen as a future commercial source of plant food, T.. L. 

 Van Slyke (West. N. Y. Hort. Soc. Proc, 58 (1908), pp. 100-108).— Thl^ is a 

 summary of information regarding the commercial sources of inorganic nitrogen 

 compounds used in agriculture; different methods of utilizing atmospheric 

 nitrogen, including methods of preparing and using nitrogen compounds derived 



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