VEGETABLE PHYSIOLOGY AND AGIRICULTURE. 31 Chemistry of Vegetable Physiology and Agriculture, Gaseous Exchanges between Plants and the Atmosphere. By TH. SCHLOESINQ, jun. (Compt. rend., 1900, 131, 716-719. Com- pare Abstr., 1893, ii, 137, 180; 1894, ii, llO).-Comparative experi- ments, made on buckwheat and dwarf nasturtiums cultivated in media32 ABSTRACTS OF CHEMICAL PAPERS. freed from nitrifying organisms show that the plants, under these conditions, readily accommodate themselves to the substitution of ammonium salts for nitrates ; buckwheat thrives slightly better on nitrates, whilst ammonium salts seem more favourable to the growth of nasturtiums. During the entire period of development, the plants evolve a volume of oxygen which is greater than that of the carbon dioxide absorbed.This excess of oxygen is derived principally from the reduction of the mineral salts extracted from the soil, and is very appreciably diminished when the nitrates are replaced by ammonium salts. The quantitative results obtained in these experiments are exhibited in tabular form, Assimilation of Free Atmospheric Nitrogen by Mycelia in the above-ground portions of Plants. By LORENZ HILTNER (Bied. Centr., 1900, 29, 705-706 ; from Centr. Bakt. Par., 5, ii, 831-832).--In 1897, A. E. Vogl discovered a fungus in the so-called hyalinic layer of seeds of Lolium temulentum. The results of experi- ments made by the author in which Lolium italicum and 1;. ternulenturn were grown together in sand, with and without addition of potassium nitrate, indicate that in the case of L.temulentum, free nitrogen is assimilated. It was not possible t o separate completely the roots of the two varieties of Lolium. The resiilts for the above-ground growth (in the pots without nitrate) are as follows (grams) : G. T. M. Dry matter. N. Lolium temulentum ............... 5.173 0.0304 ,, italicum ................ 0.974 0.0067 The amount of combined nitrogen in the seed and in the water given to the plants did not exceed 8 milligrams, whilst the roots of the two varieties together contained 7.8 milligrams of nitrogen, In the nitrate pots, there was a gain of 0.068 gram of nitrogen. N. H. J. M. R61e of Oxygen in Germination. By PIERRE MAZB ( A m . Inst. Pasteur, 1900, 14, 350-368).-The failure of seeds to germinate under water is due to deficiency of oxygen.Whilst the seeds appear to be unchanged, they are in reality undergoing various changes ; the hydrolysing diastases, and particularly zymase, are as active as in seeds germinating normally. On the other hand, the oxidations necessary for the elaboration of reserve foods being impossible under these conditions, the embryos remain inert. Small seeds (cruciferous, for instance) may develop slowly a t the expense of their internal atmosphere. Starchy seeds rapidly lose their germinating power, whilst oily seeds are more resisting. There is, however, no reason to suppose that any seeds are capable of resisting prolonged immersion in water. The weakening of the vitality of submerged seeds is due to the production of toxic compounds, especially aldehyde.The development of the plant a t the expense of the reserve substances of the seed seems to depend on a certain number of diastasic actions,VEGETABLE PHYSIOLOGY AND AQRICULTURE. 33 the equilibrium of which cannot be disturbed without sooner or later causing death. Diffusion of Enzymes in the Seeds, with Special Reference to the Fat-decomposing Enzymes. By C. LUMIA (Bied. Centr., 1900, 29, 669-673 ; from Xtax. sper. agnw. ital., 1898, 31, 353).- When the endosperm of growing plants was extracted successively with water and ether, the ethereal residue was found to be acid. Seeds similarly treated gave neutral residues. Eat is therefore decomposed in the endosperm during germination. The results of experiments with Ricinuo communis show that an aqueous extract of the germinating seeds libefated a considerable amount of acid from ricinus oil, which was added.When the extract was first boiled, the production of acid was comparatively small. Thymol was added in each case. N. H. J. M. By ALEX- ANDER TSCHIRCH and H. KRITZLER (Chem. Centr., 1900, ii, 585-586 ; from Ber. deut. phann. Ges., 10, 214--222).-The aleurone-grains of the seeds of a variety of plants were found to consist mainly of glob- ulins, similar to the globulins of animal proteids. The crystalloids contain at least two globulins of different solubility in 1 to 10 per cent, solutions of salts ; they are insoluble in concentrated solutions of ammonium sulphate, sodium chloride (with a trace of acetic acid), and potassium dihydrogen phosphate, and either insoluble or sparingly soluble in concentrated magnesium sulphate solution.Aleurone- grains contain also, possibly, small amounts of albumosee. The globoids contain protein (globulin), calcium, magnesium, and phosphoric acid ; they dissolve in concentrated solutions of ammonium sulphate, acidified sodium chloride, and potassium dihydrogen phos- phate, and are sometimes sparingly s o h ble and sometimes insoluble in concentrated magnesium sulphate solution. The germinating power of seeds probably depends directly on the solubility of the crystalloids in dilute sodium chloride solution. The proteids in old seeds which are insoluble in 10 per cent. sodium chlor- ide solution, but soluble in 1 per cent. sodium carbonate solution, correspond with Weyl’s albuminates, and are not identical with Osborne’s insoluble modification of globulin.The oil of the seeds is not present as drops, but is mixed with the cell plasma; the gluten grains are free from oil. Dependence of the Production of Transitory Starch on Temperature and on the Action of Oxydases. By J. G~riras (Bied. Centr., 1900, 29, 685-687; from Woch. Brauerei, 1899, 16, 519, and Centr. Bakt. Par., 1899, 5, 7’75).-Sucrose is the first carbo- hydrate utilised in the germination of barley, the starch not being used until the embryo reaches a certain stage and is able to furnish the enzymes necessary for rendering the starch available. The rootlet is encldsed in a gum which probably consists of galactans; this con- tains a liquefying enzyme. When a hole is bored through a potato the exposed surface soon becomes covered with cork.The latter contains two oxydases, an N. H. J. M. Microchemical Examination of Aleurone-grains. N. H. J. M. VOL LXXX. ii. 334 ABSTRACTS OF CHEMICAL PAPERS, a-oxydase and a P-oxydase. The a-oxydase is a carrier of free at- mospheric oxygen and is destroyed by prolonged con tact with alcohol, or by heating with alcohol for 15 minutes at 50 -53' ; it dissolves readily in glycerol, and is precipitated with only partial destruction by lead acetate. The P-oxydase liberates loosely combined oxygen. Neither the Q- nor the P-oxydase is hydrolytic. For detecting oxydases, paper soaked in an alcoholic solution of tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine is employed ; the dried paper, when moistened and placed on vegetable tissues containing oxydases, causes them to become coloured violet when exposed to air.Barley contains a substance, sperntase, which resembles oxydases, except in its extremely slight action on guaiacol; it is destroyed by heating with alcohol at 55-57O. As germination proceeds, the action of the spermase a t first increases, then diminishes until it ceases. Probably the cessation is only apparent, the action being masked by reducing substances. Saps. 111. By ALEXANDER H~BERT (Bull. 8oc. China., 1900, [iii], 23, 839-842). Compare Abstr., 1896, ii, 494, and 1898, ii, 446).-A specimen of the sap or juice of the vanilla plant from the Congo was found to contain about 4 per cent. of crystallised calcium oxalate, to w,hich the known irritant action of the juice is possibly due.Proteids and reducing substances are also present, but neither alkaloids nor fats could be detected. By ERNST FRICKE (Chem. Centr., 1900, ii, 769 ; from Zeit. oflentl. Chem., 6, 292).-On a meadow near Rams- beck, Westphalia, which is occasionally flooded by waste liquors containing zinc, and on soil near Bockwiese and Lautenthal which is known to contain zinc, a cruciferous plant very similar to Arubis HaZZeri has been found to flourish. In both cases, the plant contained zinc, and in the latter case the plant substance free from water and sand yielded 1.3 per cent, of ash which contained 0.94 per cent. of zinc. E. w. w. Oil and Fat of Stillingia Sebifera. By MASSIMO TOHTELLI and R. RUGUERI (Annali del Lab. Centr. delle Gabelk, 1900, 4, 205-215 ; and L'Orosi, 1900, 23, 389-297).-The seeds of Stillingia sebiJera contain 20.0 per cent.of fat and 19.2 per cent. of a very mobile, pale yellow oil, having the sp. gr. 0.9438 a t 15'/15O and [a], -3.41" at 16'; the other chemical and physical constants have also been determined. T. H. P. Genesis of Terpenoid Compounds in Plants. By EUQSNE CHARABOT (Ann. Chim. Phys., 1900, [ vi], 207-288). -A detailed account of work already published (compare Abstr., 1900, i, 363; ii, 101, 241, 361, 362; this vol., i, 38). G. T. M. Simultaneous Presence of Sucrose and Gentianose in Fresh Gentian Root. By EMILE BOURQUELOT and HENRI HEBISSEY (Compt. rend., 1000, 131, '750-752. Compare Abstr., 1898, i, 349 ; Abstr., 1900, i, 511).-Fresh gentian root is shown to contain both sucrose and gentianose, the Former being, perhaps, produced by the decompo- N. H.J M. N. L. Plants Containing Zinc.VEGETABLE PHYSIOLOGY AND AGRICULTURE, 35 sition of the latter sugar. Full details are given in the paper of the Presence of Invertin or Sucrase in Grapes. By V. MARTINAND (Compt. rend., 1900, 131, 808-810).-Invertin was found to be pre- sent in crushed grapes which, before maceration, had been carefully sterilised to destroy any enzyme which might be present on the outer surface of the skin. The amount of invertin present is sufficient to invert the whole of the sucrose present in the grapes. The invertin which is found in wine comes from the grape itself, and not from the enzyme which has produced fermentation in the wine. The invertin present in grapes is not so readily oxidisable as that obtained from other sources.It is absent from diseased wines, and from wines which have undergone strong oxidation. Colouring Matter of Beetroot and its Absorption Bpectrum. By JULIUS FORMLNEK (J. pr. Chem., 1900, [ii], 62, 310-314).-Beet- root contains an unstable colouring matter, which shows a yellow absorption band and, when warmed or kept, soon changes into the substance which exhibits the well-known blue and violet absorption bands. R. H. P. By WILHELM JOHANNSEN (Bied. Centr., 1900, 29, 717 ; from Tidsskr. Landbr. Pkunt., 1899, 5, loo).-Nitrogen was determined in ten large and in ten small seeds. The following are the average results. Large seeds (450 mg.), N= 3.35 ; small seeds (226 mg.),N = 3.1'7. The average for all the seeds (338mg.) was N = 3-26 per cent.There were only relatively few cases in which the small seeds had a lower, and the large seeds a higher percentage of nitrogen than the average of all the seeds. By THEODOR REMY (Bied. Centr,, 1900, ZS, 664-665 ; from El. Gersten-, Hopfen- u. Kartofelbuu, 1899).-Experiments with hops in which farmyard manure was applied t o soil not particularly deficient in humus-nitrogen decidedly increased the yield without having any marked effect on the quality of the hops. I n the case of peat land (a typical East Prussian hop soil) containing 1-97 per cent. of nitrogen, the results showed that dung should only be employed in moderation, being injurious, rather than beneficial, as a source of nitrogen. By FLAMINIO BRACCI (Bied.C'entr., 1900, 29, 673-675 ; from Stax. sper. agrar. ital., 1899, 32, 161)-The dif- ferent parts of the olive have the following percentage composition : separation and identification of the sucrose. N. L. H. R. LE S. Nitrogen in Peas. N. H. J. M. Manurial Experiments with Hops. N. H. J, M. Cultivation of Olives. Organic Per cent. in Ash. Water. matter. N. Ash. K,O. Na,O. CaO. P,O,. Branches ... 32 5 65.6 1.9 0.75 20.56 11 38 30.94 15'39 Leaves ..,... 53.6 43.4 3.0 1.01 18.68 8.51 35.64 7.68 Fruit ..,...... 52.7 45'5 1'8 0'45 66-30 4-82 5.71 6.65 It is estimated that the following amounts of manurial constituents are lost per hectare per annum (in wood, leaves, and fruit) : N, 27.9 ; K,O, 37.2 ; CaO, 13.9 ; and P,O,, 8.8 kilos. N. H. J. M. 3-236 ABSTRACTS OF CHEMICAL PAPERS.80-called Invisible Injury [to Trees] by Smoke. By PAUL SORAUER and EMIL RAMANN (Bied. Certtr., 1900, 29, 678-685 ; from Bot. Centr., 1899, 90, 50-56, 106-116, 156-168, 205-216, and 251-262).-Pine trees, 8-9 years old, in pots were subjected for an hour, in one case every day, and in others every second, third, or fourth day respectively, to the action of sulphur dioxide (0.0022 volume per cent. of the air) obtained by burning a mixture of carbon disulphide and alcohol. According to the frequency of the treatment, the amount of sulphuric acid in the needles was increased by 0.189, 0.112, 0,079, and 0.072 per cent. There was no visible change in the appearance of the needles either in the first or the second year ; microscopical examination showed, however, that i u many of the needles the chlorophyll substance had undergone changes or was completely destroyed.Similar experiments were made in which the trees were subjected to the action of hydrogen chloride (0.00386 volume per ceiit.), ob- tained by burning a mixture of amyl chloride and alcohol. The amount of chlorine in the needles was appreciably increased, but the increase had no relation, as in the case of sulphur dioxide, to the frequency of the treatment. Less acid was, however, on the whole, absorbed by those plants which were rendered damp by spraying than by the others. Microscopic examination revealed no alteration in the chlorophyll substance. The stronger trees absorbed less acid than the weaker ones. The results show that hydrogen chloride is less dangerous to pines than sulphur dioxide.N. H. J. M. Butter Fat. By ALPH. VAN ENCIELER and P. WAUTERS (Bied. Centr., 1900, 29, 666-667; from Contrib. 2tude de la graisse du beurre, Brussels, 1899, pp. 14).-Butter Gbtained a t different periods was examined, as well as the butter from single cows. The rations of the cows included cotton seed meal or sesame cake. The conclusion is drawn that abnormal butter fat may be pro- duced at all times of the year, and that its formation does not depend on the feeding or on the period of lactation, but on physi- ological conditions not yet understood. I n the authors' experi- ments, the Reichert-Meissl number varied from 23.3 to 38.5. N. H. J: M. Peat. By ARTHUR PETERMANN (Bied. Centr., 1900, 29, 714-716 ; from Bul.stat. ngron. Gembloux, 1899, No. 66, 11).-Peat from Herzo- genwald was air dried, well mixed, and heated in an iron retort at about 450'. The following amounts of products were obtained from 1000 kilos. of air-dried peat: Coke, 3375 grams ; methyl alcohol, 600 c.c.; acetic acid, 3.058 grams; and tar, 57.6'75 grams. The tar yielded oil boiling at 0-loo", 100-200°, and 200-300'; 2.5, 12-75', and 17.00 grams respectively ; paraffin, 14.425 ; and coke, 11 grams. The yield of ammonia was 921 grams, and there was sufficient illuminating gas (from 2 kilos.) to burn with a good flame for 6 hours. N. H. J. M.VEGETABLE PHYSIOLOGY AND AGRICULTURE. 37 Estimation and Composition of Humus and its Nitriflca- tion. BY CRARLES RIMBACH (J Arner. c'hem. SOC., 1900, 22, 695-703).-Humus, extracted in the usual manner, was precipi- tated with a mixture of calcium and magnesium sulphates.The humate (28 grams) was mixed with ignited sand (2 kilos.), which was then inoculated with soil extract and kept at about 25' for two months, water being added when necessary. It was then found that 5.94 per cent. of the humus nitrogen had become nitrified. When soils are extracted with dilute hydrochloric acid, a certain variable amount of humus is dissolved. The amount of nitrogen in the sodium hydroxide extract differs from that in the ammonia extract, and cannot be directly referred to the amount of organic matter in the latter. I n the usual process for determining humus, a certain amount of ammonia (about 5 per cent.) is included in the organic matter, making the results too high.Sodium hydroxide solutions extract more nitrogen than ammonia, and the question still remains, which of the two solvents is preferable. Composition of the Coprogenic Mud of Ranger Lake in Livonia. By MAXIMILIAN GLASENAPP (Bied. Centr., 1900, 29, 665-666; from Baltische Woch., 1899, 40)-The mud is a light grey substance of the following composition (air dried) : Water, 7-60; nitrogenous organic matter, 11 -75 ; non-nitrogenous organic matter, 26.34 ; potassium, sodium, and calcium sulphates, 0.61, 0.66, and 2.67 ; calcium phosphate and carbonate, 0.37 and 15.86 ; magnesium carbonate, 5.33; ferric oxide and alumina, 2.88 ; silica and sili- cates, 25.93 per cent. The mud can be obtained in large amounts in dry summers, and is locally useful astt manure.Denitriflcation and the Action of Farm-yard Manure. By THEODOR PFEIFFER and OTTO LEMMERMANN (Landw. Vewuchs-$tcct., 1900, 54, 386--462).-The utilisation of the nitrogen in the soil is hindered by an increase in the amount of organic matter as well as by denitrifying bacteria. Manuring with farmyard manure, dung, &c., not only increases the amount of organic matter but, acts as a carrier of bacteria. I n pot experiments, the injurious effect of organic matter and denitri- fying bacteria was only observed in the case of the first crop, but not after wards. When the amount of organic matter in the soil was increased by adding potassium citrate, or when pure cultures of denitrifying bacteria were added, there was a loss of nitrogen in the free state.I n the case of farm-yard manure, the production of elementary nitro- gen is quite unimportant as compared with other factors which give rise to incomplete utilisation of the nitrogen; this holds good even in pot experiments. On light sandy soil the utilisation of nitrates is not affected by an application of 800 cwt. of old bullock or horse manure or fresh horse dung. I n pot experiments, the same manure gave quite different results, but these have no direct. bearing on practical agriculture. The varying results obtained with di$erent kinds of stable-manure N. H. J. M. N. H. J. M.38 ABSTRACTS OF CHEMICAL PAPERS. cannot be attributed either to the differences in the amounts of the different forms of nitrogen, and cannot be explained by denitrification and liberation of free nitrogen. The amounts of non-nitrogenous organic substances, especially xylan, had in these experiments no relation to the nitrogen assimilated. The differences observed would seem to be due to the various degrees of stability of the nitrogen compounds. When farm-yard manure is improperly kept, the production of available forms of .nitrogen may be entirely suppressed, even under conditions most favourable to the decomposition of the non-nitrogenous constituents. This is attributed mainly to the proteolytic ferments being injured, but requires further investigation. The above conclusions are drawn from the results of a number of pot and plot experiments, which are fully described. N. H. J. M.