724 EXPERIMENT STATION EECORI). 



gave good results when appliecl early in the spring. Fall application, however, 

 is preferable. For summer crops the nitrogen lime should, if possible, be applied 

 S days before planting and harrowed in. Its use as a top-dressing in this case 

 is not to be reconnnended. 



Experiments with, lime nitrog'en as a fertilizer, C. Dusserre (Chron. Agr. 

 Vaud, 21 (IDOS), Xo. 19, pp. 'il5-Jf21). — A number of cooperative experiments 

 with farmers on cereals, grass lands, and potatoes are reported, the results in 

 general showing that the lime nitrogen is a very efficient fertilizer on cereals 

 and hoed crops, but is not well suited for top-dressing of grass lands. 



Prize contest in trials of calcium cyanamid in comparison with other 

 nitrogen fertilizers {Atti R. Accad. Econ. Agr. Georg. Fin'iizc, .J. .■^cr.. o ( I90S), 

 No. 2, pp. 65-171). — In order to obtain extensive data on the comparative value 

 of various nitrogenous fertilizers this contest was established upon the follow- 

 ing conditions : Diplomas of honor and cash prizes to the amount of $320 were 

 offered. The cash prizes were G in number ; one of $80 for comparative trials ou 

 a total area of not less than 2i acres ; 2 of $60 each for total areas of not less 

 than 11 acres; and 3 of $40 each for total areas of not less than J acre. The 

 area of each plat on which calcium cyanamid was used was required to be not 

 less than i acre. The nitrogen fei'tilizers to be compared with calcium cyanamid 

 were to be the ones in use in the locality, and complementary fertilizers were to 

 be used according to the needs of the crops or soils. 



There were 16 entries, but rejiorts were received from only 13. There are 

 reports each on wheat and corn, 5 on beets, 3 on potatoes, 2 on oats, and 1 each 

 on flax, hemp, olives, and tobacco. 



The results are varied and a detailed study of the reports is necessary to 

 arrive at any definite conclusions. 



Influence of soil humidity on the fertilizing action of calcium cyanamid, 

 S. DE Grazia (Stas. Sper. Agr. Ital.. ',1 {1908). No. 2-4, pp. 115-126: «&«. in 

 Chem-. Zenthl., 1908, I, No. 26, p. 2198).— A study of the effect of different de- 

 grees of moisture on the action of various chemical fertilizers is reported. The 

 experiment was carried on in pots, each containing 2 kg. of air-dried earth. 

 Three types of soil were used, namely, clayey, calcareous, and sandy. 



The fertilizers used were calcium cyanamid, nitrogen line, dicyandiamid, 

 and sulphate of ammonia, and the different degrees of moisture used were cer- 

 tain percentages of the maximum quantity that each type of soil will retain 

 by imbibition, as follows : 0, 10, ,30, 60, and 90 per cent. The fertilizers were 

 well mixed with the soil on April 25 except the sulphate of ammonia, which 

 was applied in solution on :May 19 and on ]\Iay 21. Eleven selected seeds of 

 rye were sowed in each pot. The degrees of moisture mentioned above were 

 maintained from the time the fertilizers were applied until about 2 days 

 l>efore the sowing; then the pots were exposed to the air for nearly 2 days 

 in order to have the earth in all the pots contain a like amount of moisture. 

 Then such an amount of water was added as would give each type of soil 40 

 per cent of the quantity of moisture it would retain. This degree of moisture 

 was maintained throughout the remainder of the experiment. 



In the pots without fertilizer the effect of the higher degrees of moisture 

 befoi'e sowing was shown especially with clayey soil. The calcium cyanamid 

 gave better results with larger amounts of moisture, the largest being on 

 clayey soil. The nitrogen lime showed a similar effect of moisture, but gave a 

 smaller px-oduct. The different degrees of moisture had no effect on the dicy- 

 andiamid in any type of soil. The same is true of sulphate of ammonia. 



In conclusion the author recommends that calcium cyanamid should be ai)- 

 plied when the soil is wet or when there is good prospect of rain, and that in 



