70 ABSTRACTS OF CHEMICAL PAPERS. Chemistry of Vegetable Physiology and Agriculture. The Bacillus of Panary Xermentation. By E. LAURENT (Bied. Csntr., 1886, 648).-The author says that the surface of wheat, rye, and other food grains contains spores of bacilli which in grinding pass into the flour, asd when made into dough they germinate, evolve carbonic anhydride, and raise the bread. When cultivated on gelatin, it develops charactepistic cultures different from other bacilli, and has been given the name of Bacillus pwajicnns; it exists with or without oxygen, and renders albumin and gluten soluble; it also grows in saccharose and in a weak solution of boiled starch ; it withstands the heat of boiling water, if at a depth of 7 or 8 mm. in the bread ; it is abundant in bread which has been eaten, and is found freely in the faeces.It can attack starch after baking, if the medium is not Bufficiently acid, and causes a disease in bread which the author ha8 often observed, arid calls viscid or clammy bread ; the addition of a sufficient quantity of an organic acid prevents this. J. 3’. Decomposition of Silicic Acid by Leaves. By A. DENARO (Gazzetta, 16, 328--350).-A few years ago Grimaldi stated in a pamphlet that silica is decomposed by leaves exposed to sunlight, precisely as carbonic anhydride is, into the element and oxygen. It is probable, however, that sufficient care was not taken to exclude carbonic anhydride derived from the potassium carbonate, as an iin- purity in the silica. Accordingly the author has repeated the experi- ments with a sample of silicic acid obtained from a sodium silicate produced by the direct fusion of sodium oxide with silica.Compara- tive experiments were made with leaves of which some were pre- viously deprived of air, whilst others were introduced directly into the solution of silicic acid. In the former case, no oxygen was evolved, In the latter only a small quantity. Further, it is shown that no silica is absorbed by the leaves ; the proportion of silica in them was found to be the same, whether or not they had been treated by the silicic acid solution. V. H. V. Formation of Albuminoids in Plmts. By C. 0. M~LLER (Landw. Versuchs-Stat., 1886, 326--335).--From the experiment8 which have been made on many plants, it would appear that under normal conditions, planta contain asparagine, and this amide appearsVEGETABLE PHYSIOLOGY AND XQRIOULTURE. il if the growing parts are placed in darkness ; but in fully grown por- tions, asparagine is only exceptionally found, and then only in traces.If a portion of a plant is placed in darkness, by enveloping it in black paper, whereby it still remains connected with the parent, and the older portions are left undisturbed, then an accumulation of asparagine is formed, which when the light is admitted, is absorbed ; This does not occur in the fully grown parts, save exceptionally. This result seems to show that the formation of asparagine is inde- pendent of carbohydrates, and also that the amide formed is not it bye-product of the interchange of matter within the plant. It has also been found that even when a plant is growing under abnormal conditions, when all carbonic anhydride has been removed from the air, asparagine is formed in the young parts, but not in the matured por- tions.Consequently it appears as if light played as inconspicuous a part in the formation of asparagine as carbohydrates. The author considers that asparagine i s formed by the union of inorganic nitrogen compounds and malic acid within the plant, the acid being derived By U. KREUSLER (Bied. Centr., 1886,618-664). -The author has examined potatoes at different stages of their growth. At the time of sowing, large and small tubers were of the same specific gravity and composition ; taken up shortly after the sowing, there was but little change observable, there was more moisture, due to partial exhaustion of their substance.Glucose was not found before planting, but was present in the ger- minating tubers ; nitrogenous combinations diminished considerably in the growing roots. The young tubers gradually developed dry matter, principally starch, in proportion as they grew. Glucose was present at the beginning, but gradually decreased as they ripened, when it disappeared. Sub- stances which reduced copper were absent from the very young plants, but appeared at a later stage to disappear when fullyripe; the amount of carbohydrates in the sap was twice as much in the young as in the ripe tubers. In the stalks and leaves, cellulose and non-nitrogenous extract increased, raw prote’in and fat decreased ; the fruit is tolerably rich in fat ; the whole young foliage of the potato belongs to those vegetables which are richest in nitrogen, the proportion of the dry substance amounting to 7-5 per cent.= 47 per cent. crude protein ; the amount of nitrates in the non-protein portions is also very considerable, in the whole plant 3.5 per cent., in the stalks 5 per cent., calculated as N,06. This large quantity of nitrates leads the author to agree with And&, Berthelot, and Schulze, that it is not altogether supplied from external sources, but that a part is formed in the plant itself. from the carbohydrates. E. w. P. Observations on the Growth of Potatoes. J. F. Ammonia in Beetroots. By L. RATTUT (Bied. Centr., 1886, 604 --607).-The opinions of persons who interest themselves in this matter are divided, some asserting the presence of ammonia in the roots, others the contrary.Owing to the rapid decomposition of the organic constituents of beet-juice when heated with alkalis, the deter-72 ABSTRACTS OF CHEMICAL PAPERS. minations were made in the cold by Schlosing's method-in each of four dishes 100 C.C. of distilled water mas poured, in one normal beet- juice with 10 C.C. milk of lime, in two others milk of lime with two kinds of ammonium salts, the fourth milk of lime only-the dishes covered with glass plates to which were fixed moistened test-papers ; the three gave an immediate alkaline reaction. Attempts a t quanti- tative estimations were made witahout much success, but the author concludes from their results that an ammoniacal salt exists in the roots which is readily decomposed by caustic magnesia, and that there are two nitrogenous organic substances present, one, probably asparagirie, quickly decomposed by lime, the other by caustic potash solution.Milky Juice of Certain Euphorbiaceae. By G. HENKE (Arch. Pharm. [ 31, 24, 729--759).-Hitherto euphorbone had not been obtained in a pure state, even Fliickiger, who proposed the name, was unsuccessful. The author treated finely powdered euphorbium in the cold with light petroleum of 60-70" boiling point ; this treatment being repeated as long as anything was dissolved. The solutions obtained were mixed, filtered, and allowed to evaporate spontaneously. The sides of the evaporating vessel became coated with beautiful, tmnsparent, crystalline needles of euphorbone, whilst the remaiader of the residue consisted of a yellowish, crystalline, warty mass, Repeated treatment with light petroleum gives a pure product finally, but is wasteful ; it is better to dissolve the yellow mass in ether after remov- ing the petroleum by heating on the water-bath ; on adding alcohol until a faint turbidity appears, filtering and allowing to remain, a yellow, resinous mass separates.The liquid on evaporation leaves a snow-white, bntter-like mass which gives brilliant needles on crystal- lising from a sufficiently dilute solution of. light petroleum. Eccphorbone thus prepared melts a t 67-68", its composition was found to be GH,,O. Its rotatory power dissolved in chloroform was [a]= = + 15%". Its crystals are persistent in the air, tasteless, Hnd are neutral in solution.It is very soluble in light petroleum, chloroform, ether, alcohol, benzene, acetone, and 90" vol. per cent. alcohol, less soluble in more dilute alcohol. It is unaffected by dilute acids, sodium carbonate, ammonia, potash, and soda, and by alcoholic zinc chloride solution. It is soluble in 10,000 parts of hot water. Cold anhydrous acetic acid does not affect it ; when heated a t 150-200" a solutiori is obtained from which a yellowish precipitate is thrown down on diluting with much water, this precipitate has the properties of unchanged euphorbone. Bromine acts violently on the compound, producing a yellow, resin-like, non-crystallisable mass. Hot nitric acid -'_issolves euphorbone, and from the solution an amorphous, nitroge- nous compound can be obtained.A granular oxidation product was obtained by long boiliitg with potassium dichromate and sulphuric acid. On heating euphorbone with phosphoric anhydride, heptane, octane, xylene and small quantities of other aromatic hydrocarbons were obtained. The residue from the preparation of euphorbone, when extracted with alcohol, yielded two resins, one soluble and the other insoluble in ether; their reactions are detailed. The detection of malic acid, gum, and other substances in the residue and the extrac- J. F.VEGETABLE PHYSIOLOGY ASD AGRICULTURE. 73 tion therefrom are described. The pure euphorborium was found to contain :-Euphorbone, 34.60 ; resin soluble in ether, 26.95 ; resin insoluble i n ether, 14.25; caoutchene, 1.10; malic acid, 1.50; gum and salts precipitated by alcohol, 8.10 ; gum and salts not precipitated by alcohol, 12.30 ; salts and organic substances soluble in ammonia, 1.20 per cent.Somewhat similar results were obtained in the case of juices of other plants of the euphorbia class. J. T. Composition of Barley and Pease. By KLIEN (Ried. C'enfr., 1886, 644-645) .-The author's experiments show that in soils con- taining but little lime, large quantities of superphosphate diminish the protei'ds contained in the grain, whilst soils rich in lime bear very heavy manuring with those substances without damage to the ciop ; precipitated phosphate, a neutral combination of phosphoric acid, was applied in considerable excess without reducing the protei'ds ; evc n in a soil composed of phosphorite containing 20 per cent.of phosphoric acid, the protejid was not lower in the case of pease than in norinally manured soils. Wagner has found that an increase in prote'id by heavy manuring with phosphates can only be obtained in straw and green crops, not in grain and seeds, the percentage being diminished in the latter by large applications of phosphatic manures ; the author thinks Wagner's conclusions are true only when the soil is poor in lime and has traces of mineral acids present, in such cases he recom- mends the application of neutral, that is, precipitated phosphate. J. F. Composition of Tea-leaves. By 0. KELLNER (Landw. Versuclis- Stat., 1886, 370--380).-The chid interest in this research lies in the fact that it is almost the only case in which an evergreen plant has been systematically examined throughout the year.The leave8 were dried at 60--F30°, and the " total nitrogen " estimated by soda-lime, whilst the albumino'id nitrogen was determined by a modification of Stutzer's process, because the'ine- tannate is only decomposed with difficnlty and a t 100"; also the filtration of the solution is attended with great difficulty. The method employed was to boil 2 grams of the sub- stance with 100 C.C. water, to add 20 C.C. of a 10 per cent. copper sulphate solution, and then to precipitate the copper by a titratetl solution of sodium hydroxide, still leaving a small quantity of copper in solution ; after washing with hot water, the precipitate was washed with 95 per cent. alcohol. The filtrate ran rapidly through the paper and was free from albuminoids, nhich were found t o be rather lower than the original process showed.The total soluble matter was estimated indirectly, in that 3 grams were repeatedly boiled with water, the residue being dried and weighed. Theme was estimated in 5 to 7 grams which were boiled in water, the solution evaporated, and magnesia usta added ; after gently drying, the residue was extracted with ether, and the alkaloid obtained by evaporation. To obtain the tannic acid, which by reason of the presence of pectin could not be filtered in the usual way, the leaves were extracted with alcohol acidified with a few drops of acetic acid, the solution thus obtained evaporated and the residue dissolved in water, and filtered through asbestos: in calculating the results, 63 parts of oxalic acid were takenDate.May 15 . . . . . . . . ,, 30 .. .. .. .. June 15 . . . . . . . . ,, 30 .. .. .. . July 15 ... .. .. .. 30. .. .. .. .. August 15 . . . . . . ,, 30 .. .. .. September 15.. . . ,, 30.. .. October 15 . . . . . . ,, 30.. .. .. November 15 . . . ,, 30 .... Yay 15 .. .. .. .. ,, (old leaves). Water in fresh leal es. 76 *83 75-78 78 -61 70 *85 72 -67 70-54 64.21 67 * 75. 65 *26 64 -20 64 -66 64 -11 59.43 60.97 60 -03 -1 ?P Percentage OE Dry Matter. Crude prote'in. 30 -64 24 -25 22 *83 21 '02 20.06 19-96 19 -05 18 * 58 18 -27 18 '15 17 *91 17 -98 17 -70 17 -14 16 -56 Crude fibre. -- 9 -10 17 *25 17 *38 18.69 19 el6 17 *56 17 -72 17 -95 19 *13 19 -17 18 -66 18 -40 18 *26 18 -34 17 '62 - Ethereal extract.-- 6 -48 6 -42 6 -65 6 '83 7 -00 8 -59 10 -85 12'14 13 -40 14 -16 17 -23 19 '50 20 -38 22-19 14'18 Cellu- lose, BLc. 49 -09 47 *32 48 -26 48 '50 49 *49 49 -43 4'7 -80 46 -35 44 * 35 43 -41 41 *14 39 -05 38 *66 37 -31 46 *50 -. Ash. 4 69 4 -76 4 -88 4 '96 4 -29 4 -46 4 -58 4.98 4-85 5 -11 5 -06 5 -07 5.00 5 -04 5 -14 Th e'ine. --. 2 *85 2 *80 2.77 2 -59 2 -51 2 -30 2 -30 2'22 2 -05 2 -06 1 -83 1 -79 1-30 1 -00 0 *84 Tannin. 8 -53 9 *67 10 '10 10 -25 9 -4Q 10.44. 13 -75 11 -09 11 -32 10 *91 11 *21 11 '27 11 -34 12 *16 11 -11 Soluble in hot water. -- 36 -18 37 -17 36 -12 36 '06 31 "72 33 *77 32 -70 34 -00 30 -01 33 -05 34 -76 36 '80 38 -21 37.91 36 -45 - Total N. 4 -91 3 -88 3 *65 3 '37 3 '21 3 -19 3 *05 2.91 2 *93 2.91 2 -87 2 *88 2 -83 2 *74 2 *67 - Album.N. -- 3 *44 2 *77 2 '73 2 *43 2.31 2 *25 2.28 2.19 2 -27 2 -39 2.45 2 -35 2 -30 2 35 2-43 - The'ine N. -- 0 -81 0 -79 0 -78 0 '73 0 -71 0 -65 0 -65 0 *63 0 *59 0 *58 0 -52 0-51 0 -37 0-28 0 *23 Anlido N. + % 0-66 0.32 0 14 0.21 0 L4 0'21 Q 0-29 z 0.16 + r 0.08 v - b- a M - s c3 0.12 i; 0.02 ? 0.16 0.11 0 -01VEGETABLE PHYSIOLOGY ASD AGRICULTURE . Date . May 15 ............ .. 30 ............ June 15 ............ .. 30 ............ July 15 ............ .. 30 ............ August 15 .......... .. 30 .......... Eleptumber 15 ........ .. 30 ....... October 15 .......... .. 30 .......... November 15 ........ .. 30 ........ May 15 (old leaves) ... In 100 parts of Pure Ash . K20 . -. 49 *06 46 '33 41 '37 37 '09 35 -76 32 -84 31.01 29 *15 23 -72 22-28 20 *97 19.75 18 67 17.31 14 -20 Na20 .1 '07 2 -00 1 *23 1 *59 1.58 0 80 1 *08 1-14 4 -77 2 '06 2.76 2 *72 2.76 2 -02 3 -21 Date . May 15 ............ .. 30 ............ June 15 ............ .. 30 ............ July 15 ............ .. 30 ............ August 15 .......... .. 30 .......... September 16 ........ .. 30 ........ October 15 .......... .. 30 .......... November 15 ........ .. 30 ........ May 15 (old leaves) ... Fe203 . 3 '80 4 -30 6.55 7 -25 8-48 9 -75 12 -14 11 *@A 11 -64 12 *11 11 -83 11 -63 11.37 11 '02 11 -93 p20. . .- 16 *67 15 '63 13 -76 18 -85 12 *41 12 *33 12 -00 11 *71 11-25 11 -52 10 -71 10 *23 10 -70 10 -96 10 *64 CaO . 11 -95 14 -93 17.70 21 -95 22 04 22 '88 23 *24 22 -20 23 *44 27.71 27 *90 28 -75 29-60 30 '37 30 -46 MgO . 8 *69 9 00 11 '72 11 '67 12 *21 12 *91 13 -71 14 -79 14 -74 15 *80 15 *88 17 '19 17 -39 17.99 18 -49 .- 75 Mn.04 .1-64 1-79 1.98 1-30 1*58 1-75 1-21 1'57 1-72 1-63 1.37 1*53 2*06 2-48 2 '82 -- SO, . 3 *75 3 *61 3'21 3 -56 3-37 8 *83 3 -43 3 81 4 -74 4 -03 4 37 4 -01 3.84 4 -02 4 '41 .- Si02 . 2 -34 1 '24 1-60 1 *41 1-62 1'35 1 '02 2 -72 1 *69 2.17 2 -61 2 -44 1 -75 2-70 2 -13 .- c1 . .. 1*04 1'39 1-06 1-18 1-17 1-22 1-14 1'13 1*58 1-35 1.11 1-38 1.09 1-19 1 *32 to be equivalent to 34-23 gallotannic acid; the ;annin in tea being identical with tliat acid . The composition of the leaves is shown in the accornpanying tables . The fluctuation in the percentage of water is less than that observed in leaves of deciduous trees ; the percentage of ash lies between that found in the needles of pines and in ordinary leaves .It will be noticed that the non-albuminoyd nitrogen is almost wholly absent, during the later stages of growth. being found as theine . Connecting this with the fact that albumin bas increased. and that no theine is found in the seeds. the author believes that positive proof is afforded that the alkaloid. like glutamine and asparagine. is a decompositior~ product of albumiu. and is capable of again forming albumin . A8 regards the ash. we have here a regular increase. whilst in deciduous trees is found both diminution and increase . I3 . W . P .76 ABSTRACTS OF CREMICAL PAPERS. China bicolor. By 0. HESSE (Annulen, 231, 380-384) .-The author is of opinion that the small quantities of quinine and other dkaloids which Hodgkin (Phnrm.Jour., 15, 217) found in the bark of China bicolor, are probably due to the presence of a small quantity of the bark of Remijiapsdunculata in the China bicolor bark. Chlorosis in Plants. By J. v. SACHS (Ried. Centr., 1886, 602- 604).-When attacked by this disease, the leaves pale and turn perfectly white ; weak plants succumb quickly. Stronger ones are attacked year after year until their reserve material is exhausted; they then die. Tho touching of a diseased leaf with a dilute solotion of an iron salt often causes the production of chlorophyll and cures the disease. However, from extended observations the author does not think that i t is altogether the absence of iron that causes the disease, as plants growing on the same soil are irregularly attacked, some escaping altogether.His experience leads him to think that the roots or leading vessels suffer some alteration which prevents the minute quantities of iron contained in the sap from reaching the leaves. A too rapid and luxuriant growth favours the disease. I n the winters of certain years, thonsands of trees and shrub3 were heavily pruned; the energy divided betwcen numerous growths was concentrated on a much less number; they grew rapidly and luxuriantly; the first leaves were green, but the later were quite white. Trenches 20 to 30 cm. deep and wide were dug round the diseased trees at a distance of 80 to 100 cm. ; in these trenches ferrons sulphate in lumps was placed, in quantities varying from 1 to 5 kilos., accordiiig to the size of the tree. Water was then freely admitted and the trenches filled up with earth.Within three to six days the smaller bushes comnienced to green, within 14 days no sign of chlorosis was visible, and in the following spring all the growths were normal. An experiment of the author’s has, he considers, an important bearing on vegetable physiology. Certain acacia trees showed symp- toms of chlorosis, in particular the thick branches of a 20 year old tree. The author caused holes to be bored in the main stem, just beneath the bifurcation of the branch with the core of the tree. In these holes he placed corks fitted with funnels, charged afterwards with ferrous sulphate or ferric chloride in dilute solution. I n dry weather the tree absorbed the solutions so readily that the funnels had to be frequently refilled.‘1 he leaves in line of each funnel became quite green in 10 to 14 days, but those not in the line remained white. This the author thiuks a proof that each branch and twig has its own sap-ducts. J. F. Ey 0. KELLNER (Landw. Versuclis-Stat., 1886, 349-358).-After a detailed description of the modification of Pillitz’s method, which was employed to eqtimate the absurption of various solutions by soils, the author shows that the absorption of bases by the soils he employed is but slightly dependent on the composition of those soils ; that soils rich in zeolites and humus have not of necessity a higher absorptive capacity ; nor does absor- w. c. w. Absorption by Soils.VEGETABLE PHYSIOLOGY AND AGRlCULTUWE. 77 tion wholly depend on the quantity of the absorbing medium, but largely on the character of the surfaces with which the absorbable substances come in contact.It would appear also, that potash and ammonia are absorbed according to the ratio of their equivalents. E. W. Y. Estimation of Absorbed Bases in Soils, &c. By 0. K E r m E R (Lnndw. Versuchs-Stat., 1886, 359-369) .--From the analytical details given, it is concluded that the potash held in a soil by absorption only may be rezdily estimated by digestion of the soil in a concentrated solution of ammonium chloride. As regards the estimation of lime, the author has failed, as the soils he employed would not retain added lime. He attempted to saturate with calcium chloride aud then remove with ammonium chloride, but found more lime present i n the solu- tion than should have been, showing that other forms of lime (carbo- nate) had been attacked.I n a second series of experiments, he found that peas, when growing, only assimilated the potash and lime held in solution in the soil, and that the insoluble compounds (anhydrous silicates, &c.) were in no wise taken up by the roots. Chili Saltpetre as Manure. By A. STUTZER (Bied. Centr., 1886, 585-597).-The author was awarded the first prize offcred by the union of nitrate firms on the weAern coasts of South dnierica, for his essay on the value of Chili saltpetre as a manure. Wagner has condensed the contents of this essay and that of Damseaux, which obtained the second prize, into a compact form of questions and answers, which are of valce in agricultural science. Some of the answers follow :--Plants cannot grow under normal cocditions unless ,z supply of nitrogen is available for their roots, and a satisfactory crop cannot be obtained without the use of nitrogenous manures.Stable manure, in the quantities produced on a farm, does not provide sufficient nitrogen to produce good results ; high farming requires that nitrogen be procured as artificial manure. Manures contaiiiing nitrogen in the form of animal matter take a long time to alter into nitrates, whilst the Chili saltpetre is a t once available. The increase in weight of various crops tried was greater when the saltpetre was used than when ammonium sulphate was the manure. The application of phosphates and potassium salts increase materially the activity of the saltpetre. This manure does not unduly exhaust the soil ; it renders the mineral plant foods more assimilable, but no more of theni is removed than is accounted for in the increase of the crop.The crops which are most benefited by Chili saltpetre are all straw-growing plants ; next rape, mustard, &c. ; fodder, sugar- beets and potatoes come in the second rank ; meadow gras:,es in the third ; the least effect is produced 011 pease, vetches, lupines, clover, and liiiseed. Chili saltpetze should be applied as top-dressing only on sandy or porous soils, just before vegetation begins; the time of application should be in early spring. Comparative Manurial Values of Chili Saltpetre and Ammo- nium Sulphate. By v. MAGERSTEIN (Bied. Centr., 1886, 583-585).E. W. P. J. E'.78 ABSTRACTS OF CHEMICAL PAPERS. -The experiments were made on a sandy soil, with barley and oats. ZOO kilos. of Chili saltpehre and 300 kilos. of ammonium sulphate were used to the hectare ; the plots manured with the former salt showed a better result in grain, but a smaller yield of straw. Compared with unmanured plots, the increase obtained by manuring was- Barley. Oats. Chili saltpetre . * . . . . . . Ammonium sulphate.. . . 5.46 ,, 6.94 ,, Calculating the cost of the manures and the market prices of barley, oats, and straw, the author considers the Chili saltpetre the more paying of the two. Experiments with Chili Saltpetre. By v. MAGERSTEIN (Biecl. Centr., 1886, 581--583).-1n order to compare the effects of this manure when used as top-dressing and when dug in, the author pre- pared plots of 7 to 8 square metres all cultivated in the same way, except as regards the application of the manure.I n the cases of potatoes and oats, the top-dressing gave the better results, but the contrary was the case with barley: the difference is attributed to the dryness of tho season. The solution of the salt was slow and conceii- trated ; t.lierefore unfavourable to growth. The roots of barley came first i n contact with it, whilst the deeper roots of potatoes and oats received a more dilute solution and were stronger when it reached them. J. I?. 8.13 hcct. grain. 10.25 hect. grain. J. F.70 ABSTRACTS OF CHEMICAL PAPERS.Chemistry of Vegetable Physiology and Agriculture.The Bacillus of Panary Xermentation.By E. LAURENT (Bied.Csntr., 1886, 648).-The author says that the surface of wheat, rye,and other food grains contains spores of bacilli which in grindingpass into the flour, asd when made into dough they germinate, evolvecarbonic anhydride, and raise the bread. When cultivated on gelatin,it develops charactepistic cultures different from other bacilli, and hasbeen given the name of Bacillus pwajicnns; it exists with or withoutoxygen, and renders albumin and gluten soluble; it also grows insaccharose and in a weak solution of boiled starch ; it withstands theheat of boiling water, if at a depth of 7 or 8 mm. in the bread ; it isabundant in bread which has been eaten, and is found freely in the faeces.It can attack starch after baking, if the medium is not Bufficiently acid,and causes a disease in bread which the author ha8 often observed, aridcalls viscid or clammy bread ; the addition of a sufficient quantity ofan organic acid prevents this.J. 3’.Decomposition of Silicic Acid by Leaves. By A. DENARO(Gazzetta, 16, 328--350).-A few years ago Grimaldi stated in apamphlet that silica is decomposed by leaves exposed to sunlight,precisely as carbonic anhydride is, into the element and oxygen. Itis probable, however, that sufficient care was not taken to excludecarbonic anhydride derived from the potassium carbonate, as an iin-purity in the silica. Accordingly the author has repeated the experi-ments with a sample of silicic acid obtained from a sodium silicateproduced by the direct fusion of sodium oxide with silica.Compara-tive experiments were made with leaves of which some were pre-viously deprived of air, whilst others were introduced directly intothe solution of silicic acid. In the former case, no oxygen was evolved,In the latter only a small quantity. Further, it is shown that no silicais absorbed by the leaves ; the proportion of silica in them was foundto be the same, whether or not they had been treated by the silicicacid solution. V. H. V.Formation of Albuminoids in Plmts. By C. 0. M~LLER(Landw. Versuchs-Stat., 1886, 326--335).--From the experiment8which have been made on many plants, it would appear that undernormal conditions, planta contain asparagine, and this amide appearVEGETABLE PHYSIOLOGY AND XQRIOULTURE.ilif the growing parts are placed in darkness ; but in fully grown por-tions, asparagine is only exceptionally found, and then only in traces.If a portion of a plant is placed in darkness, by enveloping it inblack paper, whereby it still remains connected with the parent, andthe older portions are left undisturbed, then an accumulation ofasparagine is formed, which when the light is admitted, is absorbed ;This does not occur in the fully grown parts, save exceptionally.This result seems to show that the formation of asparagine is inde-pendent of carbohydrates, and also that the amide formed is not itbye-product of the interchange of matter within the plant. It hasalso been found that even when a plant is growing under abnormalconditions, when all carbonic anhydride has been removed from the air,asparagine is formed in the young parts, but not in the matured por-tions. Consequently it appears as if light played as inconspicuousa part in the formation of asparagine as carbohydrates.The authorconsiders that asparagine i s formed by the union of inorganic nitrogencompounds and malic acid within the plant, the acid being derivedBy U. KREUSLER(Bied. Centr., 1886,618-664). -The author has examined potatoes atdifferent stages of their growth. At the time of sowing, large andsmall tubers were of the same specific gravity and composition ; takenup shortly after the sowing, there was but little change observable,there was more moisture, due to partial exhaustion of their substance.Glucose was not found before planting, but was present in the ger-minating tubers ; nitrogenous combinations diminished considerablyin the growing roots.The young tubers gradually developed dry matter, principally starch,in proportion as they grew.Glucose was present at the beginning,but gradually decreased as they ripened, when it disappeared. Sub-stances which reduced copper were absent from the very young plants,but appeared at a later stage to disappear when fullyripe; the amountof carbohydrates in the sap was twice as much in the young as in theripe tubers.In the stalks and leaves, cellulose and non-nitrogenous extractincreased, raw prote’in and fat decreased ; the fruit is tolerably rich infat ; the whole young foliage of the potato belongs to those vegetableswhich are richest in nitrogen, the proportion of the dry substanceamounting to 7-5 per cent.= 47 per cent. crude protein ; the amount ofnitrates in the non-protein portions is also very considerable, in thewhole plant 3.5 per cent., in the stalks 5 per cent., calculated as N,06.This large quantity of nitrates leads the author to agree with And&,Berthelot, and Schulze, that it is not altogether supplied from externalsources, but that a part is formed in the plant itself.from the carbohydrates. E. w. P.Observations on the Growth of Potatoes.J. F.Ammonia in Beetroots. By L. RATTUT (Bied. Centr., 1886, 604--607).-The opinions of persons who interest themselves in thismatter are divided, some asserting the presence of ammonia in theroots, others the contrary.Owing to the rapid decomposition of theorganic constituents of beet-juice when heated with alkalis, the deter72 ABSTRACTS OF CHEMICAL PAPERS.minations were made in the cold by Schlosing's method-in each offour dishes 100 C.C. of distilled water mas poured, in one normal beet-juice with 10 C.C. milk of lime, in two others milk of lime with twokinds of ammonium salts, the fourth milk of lime only-the dishescovered with glass plates to which were fixed moistened test-papers ;the three gave an immediate alkaline reaction. Attempts a t quanti-tative estimations were made witahout much success, but the authorconcludes from their results that an ammoniacal salt exists in the rootswhich is readily decomposed by caustic magnesia, and that there aretwo nitrogenous organic substances present, one, probably asparagirie,quickly decomposed by lime, the other by caustic potash solution.Milky Juice of Certain Euphorbiaceae.By G. HENKE (Arch.Pharm. [ 31, 24, 729--759).-Hitherto euphorbone had not beenobtained in a pure state, even Fliickiger, who proposed the name, wasunsuccessful. The author treated finely powdered euphorbium in thecold with light petroleum of 60-70" boiling point ; this treatmentbeing repeated as long as anything was dissolved. The solutionsobtained were mixed, filtered, and allowed to evaporate spontaneously.The sides of the evaporating vessel became coated with beautiful,tmnsparent, crystalline needles of euphorbone, whilst the remaiader ofthe residue consisted of a yellowish, crystalline, warty mass, Repeatedtreatment with light petroleum gives a pure product finally, but iswasteful ; it is better to dissolve the yellow mass in ether after remov-ing the petroleum by heating on the water-bath ; on adding alcoholuntil a faint turbidity appears, filtering and allowing to remain, ayellow, resinous mass separates. The liquid on evaporation leaves asnow-white, bntter-like mass which gives brilliant needles on crystal-lising from a sufficiently dilute solution of.light petroleum. Eccphorbonethus prepared melts a t 67-68", its composition was found to beGH,,O. Its rotatory power dissolved in chloroform was [a]= = + 15%". Its crystals are persistent in the air, tasteless, Hnd areneutral in solution.It is very soluble in light petroleum, chloroform,ether, alcohol, benzene, acetone, and 90" vol. per cent. alcohol, lesssoluble in more dilute alcohol. It is unaffected by dilute acids,sodium carbonate, ammonia, potash, and soda, and by alcoholiczinc chloride solution. It is soluble in 10,000 parts of hot water.Cold anhydrous acetic acid does not affect it ; when heated a t 150-200"a solutiori is obtained from which a yellowish precipitate is throwndown on diluting with much water, this precipitate has the propertiesof unchanged euphorbone. Bromine acts violently on the compound,producing a yellow, resin-like, non-crystallisable mass. Hot nitric acid-'_issolves euphorbone, and from the solution an amorphous, nitroge-nous compound can be obtained.A granular oxidation product wasobtained by long boiliitg with potassium dichromate and sulphuricacid. On heating euphorbone with phosphoric anhydride, heptane,octane, xylene and small quantities of other aromatic hydrocarbonswere obtained. The residue from the preparation of euphorbone, whenextracted with alcohol, yielded two resins, one soluble and the otherinsoluble in ether; their reactions are detailed. The detection ofmalic acid, gum, and other substances in the residue and the extrac-J. FVEGETABLE PHYSIOLOGY ASD AGRICULTURE. 73tion therefrom are described. The pure euphorborium was found tocontain :-Euphorbone, 34.60 ; resin soluble in ether, 26.95 ; resininsoluble i n ether, 14.25; caoutchene, 1.10; malic acid, 1.50; gumand salts precipitated by alcohol, 8.10 ; gum and salts not precipitatedby alcohol, 12.30 ; salts and organic substances soluble in ammonia,1.20 per cent. Somewhat similar results were obtained in the case ofjuices of other plants of the euphorbia class.J. T.Composition of Barley and Pease. By KLIEN (Ried. C'enfr.,1886, 644-645) .-The author's experiments show that in soils con-taining but little lime, large quantities of superphosphate diminish theprotei'ds contained in the grain, whilst soils rich in lime bear veryheavy manuring with those substances without damage to the ciop ;precipitated phosphate, a neutral combination of phosphoric acid, wasapplied in considerable excess without reducing the protei'ds ; evc n ina soil composed of phosphorite containing 20 per cent.of phosphoricacid, the protejid was not lower in the case of pease than in norinallymanured soils. Wagner has found that an increase in prote'id byheavy manuring with phosphates can only be obtained in straw andgreen crops, not in grain and seeds, the percentage being diminishedin the latter by large applications of phosphatic manures ; the authorthinks Wagner's conclusions are true only when the soil is poor inlime and has traces of mineral acids present, in such cases he recom-mends the application of neutral, that is, precipitated phosphate.J. F.Composition of Tea-leaves. By 0. KELLNER (Landw. Versuclis-Stat., 1886, 370--380).-The chid interest in this research lies in thefact that it is almost the only case in which an evergreen plant has beensystematically examined throughout the year.The leave8 were driedat 60--F30°, and the " total nitrogen " estimated by soda-lime, whilstthe albumino'id nitrogen was determined by a modification of Stutzer'sprocess, because the'ine- tannate is only decomposed with difficnlty anda t 100"; also the filtration of the solution is attended with greatdifficulty. The method employed was to boil 2 grams of the sub-stance with 100 C.C. water, to add 20 C.C. of a 10 per cent. coppersulphate solution, and then to precipitate the copper by a titratetlsolution of sodium hydroxide, still leaving a small quantity of copperin solution ; after washing with hot water, the precipitate was washedwith 95 per cent.alcohol. The filtrate ran rapidly through the paperand was free from albuminoids, nhich were found t o be rather lowerthan the original process showed. The total soluble matter wasestimated indirectly, in that 3 grams were repeatedly boiled withwater, the residue being dried and weighed. Theme was estimated in5 to 7 grams which were boiled in water, the solution evaporated, andmagnesia usta added ; after gently drying, the residue was extractedwith ether, and the alkaloid obtained by evaporation. To obtain thetannic acid, which by reason of the presence of pectin could not befiltered in the usual way, the leaves were extracted with alcoholacidified with a few drops of acetic acid, the solution thus obtainedevaporated and the residue dissolved in water, and filtered throughasbestos: in calculating the results, 63 parts of oxalic acid were takeDate.May 15 .. . . . . . .,, 30 .. .. .. ..June 15 . . . . . . . .,, 30 .. .. .. .July 15 ... .. .. ..30. .. .. .. ..August 15 . . . . . .,, 30 .. .. ..September 15.. . .,, 30.. ..October 15 . . . . . .,, 30.. .. ..November 15 . . .,, 30 ....Yay 15 .. .. .. ..,,(old leaves).Waterinfreshleal es.76 *8375-7878 -6170 *8572 -6770-5464.2167 * 75.65 *2664 -2064 -6664 -1159.4360.9760 -03Percentage OE DryCrudeprote'in.30 -6424 -2522 *8321 '0220.0619-9619 -0518 * 5818 -2718 '1517 *9117 -9817 -7017 -1416 -56Crudefibre.--9 -1017 *2517 *3818.6919 el617 *5617 -7217 -9519 *1319 -1718 -6618 -4018 *2618 -3417 '62-Etherealextract.--6 -486 -426 -656 '837 -008 -5910 -8512'1413 -4014 -1617 -2319 '5020 -3822-1914'18Cellu-lose, BLc.49 -0947 *3248 -2648 '5049 *4949 -434'7 -8046 -3544 * 3543 -4141 *1439 -0538 *6637 -3146 *50-.Ash.4 694 -764 -884 '964 -294 -464 -584.984-855 -115 -065 -075.005 -045 -14Th e'ine.--.2 *852 *802.772 -592 -512 -302 -302'222 -052 -061 -831 -791-301 -000 *84Tannin.8 -9 *10 '1010 -9 -10.44.13 -11 -11 -10 *11 *11 '11 -12 *11 VEGETABLE PHYSIOLOGY ASD AGRICULTURE .Date .May 15 .............. 30 ............June 15 ............ .. 30 ............July 15 ............ .. 30 ............August 15 .......... .. 30 ..........Eleptumber 15 ........ .. 30 .......October 15 .......... .. 30 ..........November 15 ........ .. 30 ........May 15 (old leaves) ...In 100 parts of Pure Ash .K20 .-.49 *0646 '3341 '3737 '0935 -7632 -8431.0129 *1523 -7222-2820 *9719.7518 6717.3114 -20Na20 .1 '072 -001 *231 *591.580 801 *081-144 -772 '062.762 *722.762 -023 -21Date .May 15 ............ .. 30 ............June 15 ............ .. 30 ............July 15 ............ .. 30 ............August 15 .......... .. 30 ..........September 16 .......... 30 ........October 15 .......... .. 30 ..........November 15 ........ .. 30 ........May 15 (old leaves) ...Fe203 .3 '804 -306.557 -258-489 -7512 -1411 *@A11 -6412 *1111 -8311 -6311.3711 '0211 -93p20. ..-16 *6715 '6313 -7618 -8512 *4112 *3312 -0011 *7111-2511 -5210 -7110 *2310 -7010 -9610 *64CaO .11 -9514 -9317.7021 -9522 0422 '8823 *2422 -2023 *4427.7127 *9028 -7529-6030 '3730 -46MgO .8 *699 0011 '7211 '6712 *2112 *9113 -7114 -7914 -7415 *8015 *8817 '1917 -3917.9918 -49.-75Mn.04 .1-641-791.981-301*581-751-211'571-721-631.371*532*062-482 '82--SO, .3 *753 *613'213 -563-378 *833 -433 814 -744 -034 374 -013.844 -024 '41.-Si02 .2 -341 '241-601 *411-621'351 '022 -721 *692.172 -612 -441 -752-702 -13.-c1 ...1*041'391-061-181-171-221-141'131*581-351.111-381.091-191 *32to be equivalent to 34-23 gallotannic acid; the ;annin in tea beingidentical with tliat acid .The composition of the leaves is shown inthe accornpanying tables .The fluctuation in the percentage of water is less than that observedin leaves of deciduous trees ; the percentage of ash lies between thatfound in the needles of pines and in ordinary leaves . It will benoticed that the non-albuminoyd nitrogen is almost wholly absent,during the later stages of growth. being found as theine .Connectingthis with the fact that albumin bas increased. and that no theine isfound in the seeds. the author believes that positive proof is affordedthat the alkaloid. like glutamine and asparagine. is a decompositior~product of albumiu. and is capable of again forming albumin .A8 regards the ash. we have here a regular increase. whilst indeciduous trees is found both diminution and increase . I3 . W . P 76 ABSTRACTS OF CREMICAL PAPERS.China bicolor. By 0. HESSE (Annulen, 231, 380-384) .-Theauthor is of opinion that the small quantities of quinine and otherdkaloids which Hodgkin (Phnrm. Jour., 15, 217) found in the bark ofChina bicolor, are probably due to the presence of a small quantity ofthe bark of Remijiapsdunculata in the China bicolor bark.Chlorosis in Plants.By J. v. SACHS (Ried. Centr., 1886, 602-604).-When attacked by this disease, the leaves pale and turnperfectly white ; weak plants succumb quickly. Stronger ones areattacked year after year until their reserve material is exhausted;they then die. Tho touching of a diseased leaf with a dilutesolotion of an iron salt often causes the production of chlorophylland cures the disease. However, from extended observations theauthor does not think that i t is altogether the absence of ironthat causes the disease, as plants growing on the same soil areirregularly attacked, some escaping altogether. His experienceleads him to think that the roots or leading vessels suffer somealteration which prevents the minute quantities of iron contained inthe sap from reaching the leaves.A too rapid and luxuriant growthfavours the disease. I n the winters of certain years, thonsands oftrees and shrub3 were heavily pruned; the energy divided betwcennumerous growths was concentrated on a much less number; theygrew rapidly and luxuriantly; the first leaves were green, but thelater were quite white. Trenches 20 to 30 cm. deep and wide weredug round the diseased trees at a distance of 80 to 100 cm. ; in thesetrenches ferrons sulphate in lumps was placed, in quantities varyingfrom 1 to 5 kilos., accordiiig to the size of the tree. Water was thenfreely admitted and the trenches filled up with earth. Within three tosix days the smaller bushes comnienced to green, within 14 daysno sign of chlorosis was visible, and in the following spring all thegrowths were normal.An experiment of the author’s has, he considers, an importantbearing on vegetable physiology.Certain acacia trees showed symp-toms of chlorosis, in particular the thick branches of a 20 year oldtree. The author caused holes to be bored in the main stem, justbeneath the bifurcation of the branch with the core of the tree. Inthese holes he placed corks fitted with funnels, charged afterwardswith ferrous sulphate or ferric chloride in dilute solution. I n dryweather the tree absorbed the solutions so readily that the funnelshad to be frequently refilled. ‘1 he leaves in line of each funnel becamequite green in 10 to 14 days, but those not in the line remained white.This the author thiuks a proof that each branch and twig has its ownsap-ducts.J. F.Ey 0. KELLNER (Landw. Versuclis-Stat.,1886, 349-358).-After a detailed description of the modificationof Pillitz’s method, which was employed to eqtimate the absurptionof various solutions by soils, the author shows that the absorptionof bases by the soils he employed is but slightly dependent onthe composition of those soils ; that soils rich in zeolites and humushave not of necessity a higher absorptive capacity ; nor does absor-w. c. w.Absorption by SoilsVEGETABLE PHYSIOLOGY AND AGRlCULTUWE. 77tion wholly depend on the quantity of the absorbing medium, butlargely on the character of the surfaces with which the absorbablesubstances come in contact.It would appear also, that potashand ammonia are absorbed according to the ratio of their equivalents.E. W. Y.Estimation of Absorbed Bases in Soils, &c. By 0. K E r m E R(Lnndw. Versuchs-Stat., 1886, 359-369) .--From the analytical detailsgiven, it is concluded that the potash held in a soil by absorption onlymay be rezdily estimated by digestion of the soil in a concentratedsolution of ammonium chloride. As regards the estimation of lime,the author has failed, as the soils he employed would not retain addedlime. He attempted to saturate with calcium chloride aud then removewith ammonium chloride, but found more lime present i n the solu-tion than should have been, showing that other forms of lime (carbo-nate) had been attacked. I n a second series of experiments, he foundthat peas, when growing, only assimilated the potash and lime held insolution in the soil, and that the insoluble compounds (anhydroussilicates, &c.) were in no wise taken up by the roots.Chili Saltpetre as Manure.By A. STUTZER (Bied. Centr.,1886, 585-597).-The author was awarded the first prize offcred bythe union of nitrate firms on the weAern coasts of South dnierica, forhis essay on the value of Chili saltpetre as a manure. Wagner hascondensed the contents of this essay and that of Damseaux, whichobtained the second prize, into a compact form of questions andanswers, which are of valce in agricultural science. Some of theanswers follow :--Plants cannot grow under normal cocditions unless,z supply of nitrogen is available for their roots, and a satisfactorycrop cannot be obtained without the use of nitrogenous manures.Stable manure, in the quantities produced on a farm, does not providesufficient nitrogen to produce good results ; high farming requiresthat nitrogen be procured as artificial manure.Manures contaiiiingnitrogen in the form of animal matter take a long time to alter intonitrates, whilst the Chili saltpetre is a t once available.The increase in weight of various crops tried was greater when thesaltpetre was used than when ammonium sulphate was the manure.The application of phosphates and potassium salts increase materiallythe activity of the saltpetre. This manure does not unduly exhaustthe soil ; it renders the mineral plant foods more assimilable, but nomore of theni is removed than is accounted for in the increase ofthe crop. The crops which are most benefited by Chili saltpetre areall straw-growing plants ; next rape, mustard, &c. ; fodder, sugar-beets and potatoes come in the second rank ; meadow gras:,es in thethird ; the least effect is produced 011 pease, vetches, lupines, clover,and liiiseed. Chili saltpetze should be applied as top-dressing only onsandy or porous soils, just before vegetation begins; the time ofapplication should be in early spring.Comparative Manurial Values of Chili Saltpetre and Ammo-nium Sulphate. By v. MAGERSTEIN (Bied. Centr., 1886, 583-585).E. W. P.J. E'78 ABSTRACTS OF CHEMICAL PAPERS.-The experiments were made on a sandy soil, with barley and oats.ZOO kilos. of Chili saltpehre and 300 kilos. of ammonium sulphate wereused to the hectare ; the plots manured with the former salt showed abetter result in grain, but a smaller yield of straw. Compared withunmanured plots, the increase obtained by manuring was-Barley. Oats.Chili saltpetre . * . . . . . .Ammonium sulphate.. . . 5.46 ,, 6.94 ,,Calculating the cost of the manures and the market prices of barley,oats, and straw, the author considers the Chili saltpetre the morepaying of the two.Experiments with Chili Saltpetre. By v. MAGERSTEIN (Biecl.Centr., 1886, 581--583).-1n order to compare the effects of thismanure when used as top-dressing and when dug in, the author pre-pared plots of 7 to 8 square metres all cultivated in the same way,except as regards the application of the manure. I n the cases ofpotatoes and oats, the top-dressing gave the better results, but thecontrary was the case with barley: the difference is attributed to thedryness of tho season. The solution of the salt was slow and conceii-trated ; t.lierefore unfavourable to growth. The roots of barley camefirst i n contact with it, whilst the deeper roots of potatoes and oatsreceived a more dilute solution and were stronger when it reachedthem. J. I?.8.13 hcct. grain. 10.25 hect. grain.J. F