822 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



with the seed or entirely as a top-dressiug to the growing cx'op. The best results 

 followed application about 14 days before seeding, the material being deeply and 

 thoroughly mixed with the soil. Dicyaudiamid, although not affecting germina- 

 tion, has no fertilizing value, and plants taking it up make less growth than 

 those without nitrogenous fertilizers. 



Experiments on the use of calcium cyanamid as a fertilizer, A. Stutzeb 

 (Ztachr. Angcw. Chcm., 21 (1908), No. -',1, p. 2122; Chcm. Ztg., ,32 (1908), No. 

 80, p. 972; Ostcrr. Chem. Ztg., 11 {1908), No. 22, p. 306).— This paper, read 

 before the eightieth convention of the Association of German Naturalists and 

 Physicians, summarizes the results of experiments with lime nitrogen on vari- 

 ous crops, showing that with proper precautions the material is as a rule an 

 excellent fertilizer. 



The influence of potash fertilizers on the relation of grain to straw, 

 Clausen (Deut. Laiidiv. I'rrssc. .15 (1908), No. 81. p. 8ol). — The author found 

 in pot and field experiments that in case both of leguminous plants (peas and 

 beans) and of cereals (oats and rye) potash fertilizers (kainit) increased the 

 proportion of seed to straw to a marked extent. 



Silicate of potash as a fertilizer, E. Wein (DctU. Landio. Presse, 35 (1908), 

 No. 76, pp. 801, 802). — This is a preliminary note on field experiments in which 

 silicate of potash was compared with other common forms of potash fertilizers. 

 It is stated that the results of 4 years' experiments have shown that the silicate 

 Is an efficient potash fertilizer and that it is less subject than other potash salts 

 to loss from leaching of the soil when applied in large amounts. 



Wood ashes as a fertilizer, A. M. Ten Eyck {Market Groicers' Jour., 3 

 {1908), No. 19, p. 11). — The fertilizing value and the best methods of using 

 ashes are briefly explained. 



Experiments on methods of application of superphosphates, L. Malpeaux 

 (Jonr. Agr. Prat., n. ser., 16 {1908), No. 39, pp. 396-398).— On wheat and crim- 

 Bon clover superphosphate gave the best results when applied at a depth of 

 10 cm. as compared with application at the surface and at a depth of 20 cm. 

 On barley the best results were obtained by applying in the fall and mixing 

 well with the soil. On sugar beets also the superi)hosphate gave the best 

 results when well mixed with the soil. The results in general were unfavorable 

 to top-dressing and spring application. 



The agricultural value of low-grade Thomas slag, M. de Molinari and O. 

 LiGOT {Ann. Gemhloux, 18 {1908), No. 10, pp. 555-558, pi. 1). — Comparative pot 

 tests of two low-grade slags containing, respectively, 4.76 and 3.94 per cent of 

 phosphoric acid, on oats on sandy clay soil are reporte<l. The results show that 

 such slags even when used in amounts furnishing the same ration of total phos- 

 phoric acid as normal slags are much less effective than the latter, but that 

 when reenforced with citric-acid soluble phosphoric acid they produce the same 

 yield as normal slag. 



The solubility of steamed bone meal in 2 per cent citric acid, J. Turk 

 {Chem. Ztg., 32 {1908), No. 85, pp. 1034, 1035).— Tests are reported to show 

 that the solubility in 2 per cent citric acid varies widely with the total amount 

 of phosphoric acid in the sample used and that comparable results can be 

 obtained only by using amounts of sample containing approximately the same 

 amount of phosphoric acid. Because this fact is not taken account of in com- 

 parative tests of steamed bone and Thomas slag, the results in many cases are 

 thought to be misleading. 



The price and value of raw phosphates and so-called agricultural phos- 

 phates (Deut. LaiHlir. Pres.sc. 35 (1908), No. 73, p. 772).— This is in the main 

 a warning against extravagant claims for these phosphates. 



