1921.] 



Synthetic Nitrogenous Fertilisers. 



1039 



obtained from the following figures showing the -quantities 

 exported from Norway: — 



E' ports of Nitrate of Lime from Xonruy : 

 Metric Tons per Ann".m. 



1907 1,344 



1908 7,053 



1909 9,422 



1910 13,531 



1911 9,805 



1912 51,701 



1913 70,927 



1914 75,17(3 



During the War great modifications took place, and the 

 exports fell to nearly one half of the 1914 figure: — 



1915 38,609 



1916 46,001 



1917 35,921 



This was partly due to the diversion of acid to the manufac- 

 ture of ammonium nitrate, and partly to a rise in the home 

 consumption; before the War Norwegian farmers used only 

 6,000 or 7,000 tons of nitrogenous fertilisers per annum, 

 w T hereas in 1917 they used -20,000 tons, and the estimated 

 quantity for 1918 was 55,000 to 60.000 tons. The Norwegian 

 Company, the " Norskhydro," has, however, allowed for expan- 

 sion, and there is no reason to fear any failure of supplies. 



Experiments show that nitrate of lime comes nearer to 

 nitrate of soda than any other fertiliser. Like nitrate of soda 

 it is rapid in action, easily soluble, improves the colour and 

 appearance of crops, and induces quick growth. It differs from 

 nitrate of soda in four respects : — 



1. It contains no soda, w T hich on some soils is a useful 



fertiliser for grass and mangolds. 



2. It contains calcium, which is often of value in improving 



the vigour of plants. 



3. It is very soluble in water, and in some cases may 



prove too soluble, so that there may be difficulty in 

 handling; this problem, however, was being studied 

 before the War, and the difficulty is now probably 

 overcome. 



4. It does not " poach " heavy soil, and can therefore be 



used without damage to the texture. 

 On balance there is probably not much to be said for the 

 differences, although in individual cases some of them may 

 assume importance. On the whole, nitrate of lirue has usually 

 proved as effective a fertiliser as nitrate of soda, sometimes the 



d 2 



