NITROGEN FROM THE AIR.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 24, 26 March 1915, Page 4 (Supplement)

NITROGEN FROM THE AIR.

Under tbe above heading, about eight months since, was published an account of a very interesting agricultural experiment, the first of its kind ever attempted on a commercial scale. For many years the fact has been known iiu scientific circles that soil treated with bi-sulphide of carbon rapidly increased in nitrogen contents, and became exceedingly f<«rtile.

Very careful bacterial tests in some of the world's greatest laboratories have revealed the fact that tin's increase in nitrogen was due to the natural enemies of the nitrifying bacteria being killed off by the bi-sulphide of carbon. But, bi-sulphide of carbon being a volatile and highly explosive compound this discovery could not be turned to practical purposes on a commercial scale.

For some years past. Mr. Frank Col lon, of Hornsby, N.S.W., has been working on this problem, and after numberless experiments succeeded in producing a soluble sulphur carbon compound, which was neither volatile no:- explosive. After a number of successful tests on a small scale, Mr. 11. M. Shannon, of Arcadia, N.S.W., decid-

.•.1 to carry out n te-'.t on a commercial si',\!c in 11is orchard. Tlio tost was !:;:■<!(' on one hum'rod and twenty young orange tires and about forty old poor lews, rive (rations of n one per cent, solution wore sprinkled on tho -soil round each tree. Mr. Shannon now reports that the orange trees show a marked increase in siy.o and vitality over trees of tlie same ago, growing in similar soil, untreated. The pear trees also have made r. strong grow !li a.id are carrying an abundant crop of fniil which is absolutely free from oodiin niofb. A remarkable feature of this {est is that tlie treated soil Iris undergone a marked change. It is nineli more friable than previously, and turns ur> like garden mould. Mr. Shannon is so satisfied with these results ihat he intends to treal the wliole of Ihe snil of his oreliard in a similar fashion this year. |