SOILS FERTILIZERS. 1021 



nitrogen componnds from the free nitrogen of the air are discnssed. The de- 

 liendenee of the uaanufacture of such compounds upon cheap sources of power is 

 rxplaiued as well as the sources of water power for this purpose in Germany. 



The nitrogen question and its solution, N. Caro {Ostcn: Clicm. Zig., 12 

 ilOOO), Xo. J, pp. 3-o). — This article reviews briefly various methods which 

 have been proposed in recent years for increasing the supply of combined nitro- 

 gen, such as the preparation of ammonium sulphate by the dry distillation of 

 coal, the Moud gas process, the utilization of peat, and the manufacture of cal- 

 cium cyauamid. 



Sulphate of ammonia in 1908, Maizieres (Engrais, 2't (1909), Xo. 5, 

 pp. 12Ji-121; abs. in Murk Lane E.rprOiS, 100 (1909), No. Jf035, p. S9).— Statistics 

 <.f production and consumption of ammonium sulphate are given. 



The synthesis of ammonia by means of peat, H. AVoltereck (Compt. Rend. 

 .[(■(Hi. f^ci. [Paris], l',7 (1908), Xo. 25, pp. L',02. l-',03; abs. in Jour. Chem. Soe. 

 \ Loudon], 96 {1909), Xo. 556, II, p. 138). — Further tests of AVoltereck's process, 

 which has been previously noted (H S. R., 19, p. 1124), showed that the prod- 

 ucts obtained contained much more nitrogen than would be yielded by the 

 amount nf peat employed. 



The oxidation of the nitrogen of the air, O. Schonherr (Ztschr. Angcw. 

 Chcm., 21 (1908), Xo. 31, pp. 1633-1637; trans, in Jour. Indus, and Engin. 

 rUrm., 1 (1909), No. 2, pp. 120, 121; abs. in Anier. Chcm. Jour., J,l (1909), 

 Xo. 1 pp. 75, 76). — This article deals especially with a method employed by a 

 r.iulcn lirui for the manufactui-e of nitrate, but discusses incidentally other 

 processes proposed for this Purpose. The method especially referred to is an 

 electrical process similar to that of Birkeland and Eyde, the essential difference 

 Ijeing that the air is carried along a quietly burning arc of great length instead 

 of being forced through the electric flame. 



A future substitute for nitrate of soda, K. Birkeland and A. Frank 

 (8. Intcniat. Landw. Koug. ir/r/i, 1 (1907), pp. 230-23-'i ; 2 (1907), Seet. IIB, 

 lief. 1, pp. 27+7). — This is a discussion of the present status and future possi- 

 bilities of the manufacture of basic lime nitrate by the Birkeland and Eyde 

 process and of calcium cyanamid by the Frank and Caro process. 



Calcium cyanamid (Murk Lane Express, 100 (1909), Xo. J,03/,, pp. 59, 61, 

 figs. 3). — This article discusses the chai'acteristic qualities, storage and mixing, 

 sources, price, use, and methods of application of lime nitrogen. 



Calcium cyanamid (Engin. and Min. Jour., 87 (1909), Xo. 2, p. 138). — This 

 is a brief note on the progress in the establishment of factories for the manu- 

 facture of this product, attention being called particularly to the plant in course 

 of construction at Niagara Falls, Ontario. It is expected that this plant will 

 begin operation early in the spring of 1!U)9. The calcium cyanamid to be pro- 

 duced will contain about 10 per cent of nitrogen and no free lime. 



New Canadian industry, W. H. H. Webster (Mo. Cons, and Trade Rpts. 

 [U. aS'.I, 1908, Xo. 338, p. 125). — This is a brief account of the calcium cyanamid 

 factory which is being built at Niagara Falls, Ontario. 



Potash silicate, P. Krische (IIlus. Landtv. Ztg., 28 (1908), Xo. 79, pp. 685, 

 686; abs. in Chem. Abs., 3 (1909), No. 1, p. 94). — This article reviews briefly 

 several unsuccessful .-ittempts to use ground I'ock as a fertilizer, and calls 

 attention to a proprietary potash silicate (a fine-ground eruptive rock, phono- 

 lith) whidi is now being put on the (lerman market. The objections to the 

 use of silicate of potash as fertilizer are stated to be low percentage of soluble 

 potash, high cost as compared with soluble potash salts, and lack of water- 

 holding power. 



