SOILS FERTILIZERS. 1019 



Recent investig'ations of the nitrogenous fertilizers, C. Schreiber (Rev. 

 6V//. A'jrou., ,1. sri:, 3 (IHOS)^ Nos. 11, ui). JiSJ-i'iO; Po^- 2; 12, pp. -',81-486; 4 

 {190f>), -Vo. /, jip. .'/-.9, fig. 1). — Pot experiments with oats are reported which 

 had for their object the study of the loss of nitrate of soda from sandy soils in 

 the drainage. Previous experiments had shown that there was very little loss 

 of nitrate of soda from loam soil in good condition thoroughly cultiv.ited, even 

 when the nitrate was ai)plit'd two or three weeks before planting. The losses 

 were" but little lai'ger in the sandy soil notwithstanding al)nndant rainfall 

 during the season. 



Pot experiments with lime nitrate and lime nitrogen (calcium cyanamid) on 

 oats 'on clayey and sandy soils showed that the first was about equal to nitrate 

 of soda as a fertilizer, but that the second was decidedly less efficient (53 to 

 73 per cent). Lime nitrogen applied as a top-dressing at the time of seeding 

 retarded germination and prevented growth of plants. When incorporated with 

 the soil the day of seeding it produced less increase of yield than when culti- 

 vated in 15 days before seeding. The use of lime (carbonate) with the lime 

 nitrogen produced an injurious effect. See also a previous note (E. S. R., 20, 

 p. 428). 



In pot experiments with oats to determine the effect of calcium carbonate on 

 ammonium sulphate used as a fertilizer it was found that decided losses of am- 

 monia occurred when ammonium sulphate was applied as a top-dressing on 

 soils rich in lime. 



On the loss of nitrogen in drainage waters, J. Graftiau {Ann. Gembloux, 

 19 (1909), yo. 2, pp. 69-75). — This article points out that the conclusions re- 

 cently reported by Schreiber (see above) were drawn from experiments in 

 which very large crops were grown and the drainage was very small. It is 

 believed that the conclusions are not applicable to normal conditions of field 

 culture. 



Loss of nitrogen by leaching of nitrate of soda, C. Schreiber {Ann. Gem- 

 hloii.r. 19 {1909). Xo. .3. pp. 160-165). — This is a reply to Graftiau's criticism 

 of the author's experiments noted above, presenting further data from field 

 experiments in supiiort of the author's conclusions. 



Further note on the loss of nitrogen in drainage waters, J. Graftiau {Ann. 

 Grmhirni.r, 19 {1909), No. //, pp. .21 ) -222) .-^This is a further contribution to 

 the discussion of the above report on this subject by C. Schreiber. The author 

 insists that neither Schreiber's experiments nor those of other investigators 

 cited by him justify practical generalizations. 



The loss of nitrogen by seepage of nitrate of soda, C. Schreiber (Ann. 

 Gnnhlon.r. 19 (1 909), No. 5. pp. .?27-3,??).— This is a further reply to Graf- 

 tiau's rriticisni of tlio author's conclusions regarding this subject. 



Action of sulphate of ammonia containing 3 per cent of sulphuric acid on 

 the growth of plants, O. Lkmmermann and A. Einecke ( Fiililing's Lnndw. 

 Ztg., 57 (I90S), No. 23, pp. 7S7-791). — In continuation of previous exiieriments 

 (E. S. R., 20. p. 429), the effect of the sulphate of ammonia alone and combined 

 with acid phosjjhate was tested in pot exi)eriments with barley, with the result 

 that nearly as good yields were obtained with the sulphate containing 3 per 

 cent acid, cvc!! with the addition of acid phosphate, as with the acid-free 

 sulphate. 



The agricultural use of calcium cyanamid, A. Mtntz and P. Xottin (Compt. 

 lirud. .\c(i(l. S<i. [l'<iris\. / }7 ( 190S). No. 20. pp. 902-906; liul. ^or. Agr. France, 

 lOOfi. Dec. 15, pp. .375^79: I'rng. Agr. <t Vit. (Eil. VEst-Ccntrc), 29 (1908). No. 

 .10, pp. 718-721; Jour. Agr. Prat., n. .scr., 16 (1908), No. 1,9, pp. 718-720; Jour. 

 Chnn. Sor. \Lonflon}, 96 (1909). No. 5.55, II, p. 88; Chrni. Ahs.. 3 (1909). No. .',, 

 p. 468). — Comparative tests of the rate of nitrification of calcium cyanamid. 



