6oo 



Oil Cake and Artificial Manures. [Jan., 



four in each row, each tower measuring forty cubic metres. In 

 each row is a fifth tower in which the remaining gases are 

 absorbed into lime water. It is claimed that about 95 per 

 cent, of the nitrous gases can be absorbed. The nitrate of lime 

 produced is said to resemble salt, and to be easily dissolved in 

 water, and a method has been found of transforming it into a 

 basic salt which keeps dry, and which can be distributed in a 

 granular form by means of agricultural sowing machines. 



Experiments in the manurial properties of the Norwegian 

 nitrate of lime compared with other products have been made 

 at the Norwegian State Agricultural College, and it is claimed 

 that it is equal to natural saltpetre in its results, and, indeed ; 

 superior on sandy soil on account of its chalky properties. It is 

 also thought it may be employed in connection with the manu- 

 facture of explosives and various colours. 



Germany is said to take the product as fast as it can be 

 supplied, but no doubt samples could be had on making 

 application to the company (" Norsk hydro-elektrisk Kraelsto- 

 faktieselskab ") who have taken over the manufacture. It would 

 be useful if agricultural colleges and experimental stations in 

 this country would obtain supplies of this material for experi- 

 mental purposes. 



Cakes and other feeding stuffs are often bought by farmers 



when both their stock and their land could be equally improved 



by cheaper means. The so-called " Manur- 



Comparative ing for Mutton " experiments* which have 



Value of • 

 Oil Cake and been carried out during the past nine 



Artificial Manures, years have proved conclusively that artificial 



manures, costing less than a pound per acre, 



may often so improve the quality of the herbage that sheep will 



lay on more mutton than similar animals grazing similar un- 



manured land alongside, though the latter animals may be 



getting as much of the richest cake as they will eat. What 



holds good with regard to sheep is doubtless also true with 



regard to cattle. 



Asregards the manurial value of cake consumed by stock, it 



* See Journal, Vol. V, p. 300, Dec. 1898 ; Vol. VI., p. 293, Dec, 1899 ; Vol. VII, 

 p. 311, Dec, 190c. 



