1906.] Experiments with Lime Nitrogen. 



43 



in the condition of the soil which was unfavourable to the use of 

 nitrogen in this form, or as it was simply sown broadcast part 

 of the nitrogen may have passed into the atmosphere and been 

 lost. 



Another series of pot experiments to test the action of this 

 substance on germination are reported* by Professor Schulze, 

 of Breslau. fiere seeds of mustard, rye, wheat, oats, and barley 

 were sown at the same time as the application of lime nitrogen, 

 and one, two, three and four weeks afterwards. Seeds were also 

 sown in unmanured pots for comparison and the germination 

 recorded daily. These experiments showed that the percentage 

 of germination, and in part the germinating energy also, were 

 reduced when the sowing and the manuring took place simul- 

 taneously. A reduction in germinating power was also notice- 

 able in the case of mustard, rye, and oats when an interval of a 

 week was allowed, but after fourteen days injurious action seemed 

 to have ceased. 



In 1905 the experiments were repeated on a more compre- 

 hensive scale. In the case of oats, rape, buckwheat, and potatoes, 

 the germination in the pots treated with lime nitrogen when 

 compared with the unmanured pots seems to have been 

 unaffected. In the case of wheat, barley and sugar beet, the 

 germinating energy only seemed to be affected, that is, the 

 seeds took longer to sprout, while in the case of rye, flax, 

 carrot, and spurrey the percentage of germination was less, 

 in addition to a decline in germinating energy. It is to be 

 noted that the injurioi s effect was found to be greater and more 

 lasting on light sandy soil than on better and richer soil. 

 Generally, Dr. Schulze recommends, in order to avoid all danger, 

 that this manure should be applied from a week to a fortnight 

 before the seed is sown, and this is the conclusion which may be 

 d^awn from the experiments generally. The effect of the new 

 fertilizer appears to be about 93 to 94 per cent, that of nitrate 

 of soda. 



* Fiihlings Londw. Zeiiung, 15th December, 1905. 



