330 THE PRINCIPLES OF SOIL MANAGEMENT 



result in its being placed on the market in the near 

 future. 



There are, at present, two calcium cyanamid ferti- 

 lizers being manufactured. One is called lime-nitrogen, 

 and is made in Italy; the other is called nitrogen-lime, 

 and is made in the province of Saxony,. Germany. The 

 former contains 15 to 23 per cent nitrogen, 40 to 42 

 per cent calcium, and 17 to 18 per cent carbon dust. 

 The latter is said to contain somewhat less nitrogen, 

 and to have in it some calcium chloride, which is some- 

 times injurious to plants. 



The value of calcium cyanamid as a fertilizer has not 

 yet been definitely and conclusively ascertained. The 

 cyanamid must be decomposed before becoming avail- 

 able to the plant. Under favorable conditions, the nitro- 

 gen of the cyanamid is converted into ammonia; but, 

 if the conditions for decomposition are not favorable, 

 the dicyanamid may be formed, which has a poisonous 

 effect upon plants. Another objection which sometimes 

 obtains is that acetylene is produced from the carbide, 

 which remains unchanged in the manufacture of the 

 cyanamid. Acetylene is also injurious to plants. 



By incorporating the calcium cyanamid in the soil 

 eight to fourteen days before the seed is planted, this 

 difficulty may be overcome. It is also important that 

 the cyanamid be plowed under, and not left on or near 

 the surface of the soil, as, under these circumstances, 

 decomposition does not go on properly, and the poisonous 

 action above referred to takes place. 



Upon heavy soil the value of cyanamid as a fertilizer 

 is not greatly below that of sodium nitrate, but upon 



