96 ABSTRACTS OF CHEMICAL PAPERS.Chemistry of Vegetable Physiology and Agriculture.Occurrence of the Higher Fatty Acids in the Free State inBy E. SCHMIDT and H. ROEMER (Arch. Pharm. [3],The Fat of COCCUZUS indicus.-The fat which is contained in theseeds of this plant was dissolved in alcohol and precipitated with analcoholic solution of barium acetate, by which means the free fattyacids were separated from the glycerides with which they are asso-Vegetable Fats.21, 34-38)VEGETABLE PHYSIOLOGY AND AGRICULTURE. 97ciated in the original fat. After boiling for some time, the bariumprecipitate was filtered off, and when dry boiled with light petroleum.The nearly pure barium salt thus obtained was decomposed with hydro-chloric acid. I n this way 39 per cent.of free fattay acid was yieldedby the original fat. By this means and by repeated crystallisation ofthe original fat from alcohol, as well as by distillation under diminishedpressure, and also by partial precipitation with barium acetate, anacid was obtained which was recognised by analysis and physical pro-perties as stearic acid. The substance obtained from Cocculus indiczts,known as menispermin, was found by the authors to c0nsis.t of stearicacid.The Fnt of Myristica moschata.-This fat, commonly known as nut-meg butter, or oil of mace, contains from 3-4 per cent. of free fattyacid, which was separated by fractional distillation under diminishedpressure. At 248" the distillate, after recrystallisation from alcohol,yielded an acid, the formula of which was G14H2800,, agreeing in itsproperties with myristic acid.The distillate, which came over at ahigher temperature, was partially precipitated with barium acetate,and the acid which was recrystallised from alcohol, and analysed, gavenumbers agreeing with the formula GJ€&O2, and was identical inphysical properties with stearic acid.The Fat of Lawus n0biti.s.-This fat, when distilled under diminishedpressure, yielded a distillate, by the fractional precipitatlion of whichan acid was obtained, which appeared to be palmitic acid.Chemistry of the Nucleus. By A. KOSSEL (Bied. Centr., 1883,401-404).-T he regular relations between phosphoric acid and nitro-genous matters, which have been noticed both in vegetable andanimal cells, have given rise to the idea of a compound of albuminand phosphates or phosphoric acid.I n all the discussions on thesubject, it seems to have been overlooked that lecithin and nuclei'nare organic phosphorus-compounds, which are sufficient t o explainthese appearances. Among the products of their decomposition, theauthor found a body which had almost the identical percentage com-position of albumin. The usual mode of estimating nucle'in is by itsresistance to the action of pepsin, but the author considers this liable togreat error, and prefers a plan of his own. He found this phos-phorganic compound in the organs examined-in the spleen, liver,pancreas, kidneys, testicles, brain, embryonic and grown muscles ofanimals, pus, and in human dropsical and healthy blood.Accordingto experiments made with hens, doves, and yeast, the author regardsnuclein as a reserve material on which the organs subsist, or from whichthey draw supplies, to be incorrect ; he finds hypoxanthine and xanthineto be characteristic decomposition products of nucle'in, and guanineaccompanies them in many organs ; this by oxidation yields guanidineand urea. The fact that a substance exists in most animal organs,which furnishes urea by simple oxidation, he thinks important froma physiological point of view.W. R. D.J. F.Flowers of Rosa Centifolia. By NIEDERSTADT (Landw. VWSUC~X-VOL. XLVI. hStat., 29, 251--252).-Red roses were found t o contain 86 per cent'98 ABSTRACTS OF CHEMICAL PAPERS.of water, 3.64 per cent.nitrogen, and 3.5 per cent. ash ; in white roseswere found 91-7 per cent. water, 3-16 per cent. nitrogen, and 3.9 percent. ash. The composition of the ash-of each is given below :-Red roses.Potash.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43-81Soda ....................... 1-12Lime.. .. . _ . ............... 6.02Magnesia .................. 6.2 7Ferric oxide and Alumina.. .. 1.05Phosphoric acid ............ 16.47Sulphuric acid . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-81Silica .................... 1.49Chlorine .................. 0.69Carbonic acid .............. 15-38White roses.42.051-538.056.411.9711-325.072 404.2817.83J. I(. C.Ash of Leaves of Plants Grown in the Earth under Water-culture: By C. COUNCLER (Landw. Vei-sz~chs.-Xtnt., 29, 241-245) .-Several samples of Bcer negundo were grown in a glass house, Nobbe’smethod of water-culture being used.The leaves were collected afterfalling, dried and analysed. At the same time leaves were carefullygathered from young trees of the same kind in a neighbouring wood,to compare with those obtained by water-culture. The percentage ofpure ash in the leaves varied considerably, nearly twice as much beingobtained from those grown by water-culture. In 100 parts ash w e ~ e - - iound-Wa.ter-culture.Potash .................... 45.52Soda.. .................... 0.58Lime.. .................... 14-92Ferric oxide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.91Alumina ..................Phosphoric aci.d ............ 12-21Sulphuric acid.............. 18.30Silica .................... 4.00Magnesia.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.55-Soil.33.910.6627.234.710.924-003.457.2917-85The leaves of the soil plants contained, therefore, nearly twice asmuch lime, and more than four times as much silica as those of theplants grown by water-culture, whilst the latter contain much largerquantities of potash, phosphoric and sulphuric acids. These dif-ferences are no doubt i n great part due to the soil in which the plantswere grown; i t is very rich in potash, but comparatively poor inphosyhat es. J. K. C.Examination of an Apple-must and of the Cider obtainedtherefrom. By R. KAYSER (Dingl. po7yt. J., 248, 347).-Borsdorfapples were cut into small pieces and pressed.The resulting mustwas then tested before and after fermentation. 100 C.C. gaveVEGETABLE PHYSIOLOGY AND AGRICULTURE. 99Must (filtered).- Alcohol ..............Extract .............. 16.2.5 g.Mineral matter (ash) . . 0.35Malic acid. ........... 0.33Acetic acid ..........Sugar .............. 12-50Pectins .............. 0.62Potash .............. 0.106Lime.. .............. 0.025Magnesia ............ Op018Phosphoric acid ...... 0-024-Sulphuric acid.. ...... 0.009Glycerol ............ -Cider.5-80 C.C.0.310 310.0800.750traces0.1050.0240.01800220.0080-6802.36 g.Tartaric and citric acids were not present : hence cider can be dis-tinguished from wine by the entire absence of tartaric acid, arid bythe larger amount of lime which it contains.By a judicious additionof tartaric acid or of wine containing much acid, a product can beobtained, which it would be difficult t o distinguish from real wine.D. B.Analysis of CLTobacco Stems" from Virginia. By C. G.MEMMINGER (Chem. News, 48, llO).-" Tobacco stems " consist of themidribs of tobacco leaves from which the membranous portions havebeen stripped. The analytical results are as follow :-In origi?zal substance. In organic matter.Moisture at 100". ....... 17.52 Nicotine .............. 1-30Total ash, excluding CO, 16.47 N as nicotine .......... 0.22COz determined ........ 6.87 N as nitrate.. .......... 0.45(CO, calculated = 6.73) N as. albuminojid (by diff.) 1.51r diff.) 59.41 -1 -- TotalN............ 2.18100~00organic matter (bjK20. Na,O.42.95 6-53In ash.CaO. MgO. A1203. Fe,O,.24.56 6.20 0.04 0.84 per cent.Mn,04. SiOp. P,O,. SO,. C1.0.09 6.18 4.80 3.10 6.04 per cent.D. A. L.Phylloxera. By HENNEGUY and others (Bied. Cenfr., 1883, 272-274) .-Henneguy found the galls on many American pines, especiallyY i n u s ripnria, and but seldom on native vines ; in large galls, severalyoung insects have been found besides the egg producers, and Hen-iieguy found thiocarbonate a good specific against the attacks.E. Cheysson approves of carbou bisulphide. A. Guillamont statesthat a mixture of 10 parts wood-ashes, 10 ferrous sulphate, and 2 cod-tar, is a good specific for destroying the phylloxera. E. W. P100 ABSTRACTS OF CHEMICAL PAPERS.Valuation of Fodder.By A. EBMERLING (Bied. Centr., 1853,252-255).-The relative value of albnminoi'ds to fat and to carbohydrates istaken as 5 : 5 : 1. Multiplying emh of these factors by the correspond-ing figures representing the digestible material in the food, we obtaina figure representing the sum of nutrient units. As a standard, ryeis employed thus : Albuminoids, 9.9 per cent. ; fat, 1%; carbohydrates,65.4, which figures, when treated as above, 9.9 x 5 + 1.6 x 5 + 65.4 x 1,produce 122.9 n. u. ; and, taking 8 marks per centner as the marketvalue of rye, 1 mu. costs 6.5 pfennigs. Employing this method thefeeding value of any material may be calculated; for example, inearth-nut cake we have albuminoids 45, fat 7, carbohydrates 25, ofwhich the digestible coe5cients are 90.9, 85.7, and 98.1 respectively,giving digestible matter present to the extent of 40.9, 6.0, and24.5. Then 4 0 9 x 5 + 6 x 5 + 24.5 = 259 n.u.; and having laiddown a table of the value of nutrient units for grain and other foods,which units vary according as the price of rye rises or falls, theauthor shows that when pye is at 8 marks the value of these 259 n.u.of earth-nut cake is 10.10 marks ; but this cake only costs 9 marks,consequently there is a gain in using it.A similar method is employedt o calculate thsvalue of foods for manures, employing in this casethe factors 0.5 for N, 0.2 for P205, and 0.1 for K20 : by this he showsthe manurial value of a centner of earth-nut cake t o be 404 marks,and this, with the exception of cotton-cake, is the most valuable of allfoods. E.W. P.Examination of Clover at different Stages of Growth. By5. P. KALLEN and A. STVTZER (Bied. Centr., 1883, 410-411).-Partof a series of experiments made in order to ascertain the period atwhich grasses contain most nutritive matter, with a view t o harvest-ing them at such times. A. field sown with red clover and differentgrasses, chiefly English rye-grass, was the subject of experiment: asquare meter was cut on 17th, 24th, 31st May, and 20th June, andexamined. The results are given in a table, and the recommendationis made to cut at the end of May or early in June. J. I?.New Fodder Plant. By F. T. (Bz'ed. Centr., 1883, 287).-Lavatera arboren Sields an oily seed, which after expression of theoil forms a good cake for cattle, and good fibre for paper making, rope,and cord.The plant is biennial, and crops well. E. w, P.Feeding Horses with Earth-nut Meal. By C. FREYTAG and€3 ECKE (Bied. Centr., 1883, 284) .-Earth-nut meal may well replacetwo-thirds of the oats generally given to horses.Storage of Acorns. By LODEMAN (Bied. Centr., 1883, 286).-Collect as late as possible, pile in heaps 30 c.m. high, cover withleaves and pine twigs ; in the spring remove the covering to retardgermination. E. W. P.By DIETRICH (Bied. Centr.,1883, 428) .-A considerable quantity of this article has lately beenE. W. P.Undecorticated Cotton-seed MealWCGETBBLE PHYSIOLOGY AND AGRICULTURE. 101sent from England to Germany; it is less valuable than the mealmade from the decorticated seed, and is of a dark colour. Twosamples had the following composition :-1.2.Protejid matter ............ 23.56 23.06Fat.. .................... 6.26 7-01Non-nitrogenous extract. ... 24.94 27.12Cellulose ................ 25.i3 25.53Mineral matters .......... 8.15 6.59Water.. .................. 11.36 10.69J. I?.Cultivwtion and Preservation of Potatoes. By MXRCKER andothers (Bied. Centr., 1883, 268-270).-Stappaerts removes all eyessave three, and by Betting only large sets obtains a higher yield,which ripens early. Marcker has preserved potatoes in a silo, whenthe nutrient ratio is increased by fermentation from 1 : 30 to 1 : 17.6 ;much of the albuminoid and amido-constituents are lost.L. Nagj-enumerates and classifies the sorts of potatoes ; he divides them into12 principal classes, with 30 sub-classes. E. W. P.Experiments OM Potatoes with different Manures. By E. ITT.PEwosrr and R. 8waNwIcs (Tyans. Highl. and Agr. Xoc., Scotland,1882, 283-299). - In these experiments the actions of “ bone,”‘‘ mineral,” superphosphates, and insoluble phosphates (85.5 per cent.Ca32P04) were employed, likewise an addition of ammonium sulphate,kainite, and potsshes to the phosphates was made, with the results ashereinafter stated. The potato employed was the Champion, and thesoil divided into plots of -&% acre, contained 62 per cent. sand, Al,O,8.114, K,O 0.764, N 0.39, NH, and P205 0.284; all the plots werein triplicate.The “ unaided ” phosphates produced nearly equalcrops, but the addition of 2 cwt. Am2S04 caused the bone supert o produce the highest yield obtained, viz., 12 tons 12 cwt., whilstthe blank plots only yielded 7 tons 4 cwt., and insoluble phosphatewith ammonia 9 tons 15 cwt. The addition of potash to the mixtureof “ super ” and ammonia, rather lowered the yield, and but littledifference was noticed when kainite or potashes were employed. Thishowever was not the case with the insoluble phosphate, for thenpotashes increased the yield by a tenth. Farmyard manure gaveonly a moderate yield. In the second portion of this paper arethe analyses of the potatoes as produced under the above conditions :the highest percentage of starch was found in potatoes grown withbone superphosphate, and taking the average of all the plots, itappears that the further addition of ammonia or kainite lowers thepercentage, which is however raised again by potashes ; but there isa great difference between the percentage of starch from the bonesuper plot and from the “ insoluble ” plot, the former being 25.6, thelatter only 21-96.The expenses of the whole experiments aredetailed, as also the value of the various crops, and we find thatwhether we judge the value of the manure by the total crop it yieldsor by the production of starch, the mixture of bone superphosphat102 ABSTRACTS OF CHENICAL PAPERS.with ammonia was the most satisfactory. The effect on the amountof nitrogen present is also detailed, not merely as total nitrogen, but asnitrogen in amides and in albumin ; ammonia increases the albumi-noYd nitrogen, but the increase is somewhat counteracted by potash,the unmanured plot containing least.The amides were likewiseincreased by ammonia (av. = 0.1399 N), but again kainite exer-cised a lowering action : an extraneous experiment is here referred to,which points to the conclusion that the amide nitrogen is muchdecreased as the ratio of potmh to " super '' increases. Phosphatesand ammonia produce the highest ash (1*31), whilst in the superphos-phate plots the percentqe is reduced almost to that found in theblank plot (0.995); this is in accordance with the results found byFleischer (Bied. Centr., 1880), what has been said €or ash holds goodfor fibre.Attempts were made to estimate the percentage of starchby the method recommended by Heidepriem (Landw. Versuchs.- Stat.,20), but they were fruitless, as the results were very far from thetruth, and Lherefore untrustworthy.Influence of Manuring on the Composition of Potatoes. ByX. MARCKER (Bied. Centr., 1883, 365-366).--Four plots of ground,each half a morgen loamy marl, on which barley and clover had beeniweviously grown, were planted with "alcohol" potatoes ; one plot wasleft unmanured, the other three each received 20 lbs. of soluble phos-phoric acid, and different quantities of Chili saltpetre, the first100 lbs., the second 200 lbs., the third 300 lbs. The yield per morgenwas-E. W. P.Unmanured plot. 100 lbs. 200 lbs.300 lbs.Centner . . . . . . 112.0 28.0 124.5 139.0the use 0% the saltpetre had therefore increased the gross weight ofthe crop, but the percentage of dry matter and starch did not cor-~espond, being-Dry matter . . .. . . 24-80 23.50 22.50 20.90Starch per cent. . . 7i.51 77.07 73.95 63.64the use of large quantities of saltpetre having reduced the net quan-tity of starch, the actual amounts obtained being-Plot 1. Plot 2. Plot 3. Plot 4.21.58 23.18 20.74 18.43 centner.J. F.Artificial Manures in Potato-growing. By S. GURADZE ( R i dCentr., 1883, 377--379).-The author reports five experiments as tothe effect of different chemical manures on the growth of potatoes,combined in different proportions ; they consisted of a newly intro-duced potash magnesia (containing 50 per cent.potassium sulphate,and 34 per cent. magnesium sulphate) superphosphate, and Chilisaltpetre. All the experimental plots but two received a considerablequantity of stable manure, in addition to the artificial. The cropswere in all cases exceptionally good, and the plants healthy ; the proVEGETABLE PHYSIOLOGY AND AGRICULTURE. 103portion of starch in the tubers good, and the value of the increasedproduction repzying the extra cost of the manures employed. Theauthor strongly recommeuds the use of artificial fertilisers in thegrowing of potatoes. J. F.Manuring Experiments with Rye and Wheat. By M.M~RCKER (Bied. Centr., 1883, 373--377).-The first experimenhnoted were made with rye, on a good sandy soil, in order to observethe effects of phosphoric acid in bone-meal and in purely mineralphosphates, blood-meal being added t o the latter equal t o the nitrogenin the bone-meal.The quantity of phosphoric acid used was10 kilos. per morgen, applied in autumn. The experiments werecarried out by five farmers, independently of each other ; the resultswere slightly in favour of the mineral phosphate with blood-meal.Steamed bone-meal produced good crops, the net result of the experi-ment being that a nitrogenous manure mixed with phosphate is mostuseful. Similar experiments were made on light and poor sandy soilswith a different result, the steamed and fermented bone-meal givingthe best crops, the other manures not repaying the extra cost. Certainplots of wheat were manured with Chili saltpetre, and others withammonium sulphate, with a view of testing their manurial value.The manures were applied at different periods, the Chili saltpetre wasfound greatly superior, aud the superiority was most marked when itwas applied in May.The yield of both1 grain and straw was con-siderably larger than from all the ohher plotsl J. F.Manuring Vines. By A!.. STUTZER (Bied. Creibtr., 1883, 381-382).--Vineyards in the Ahrthal have generally been manured with stablemanure. The author found that a compost containing 7 per cent.soluble phosphoric acid, 6 per cent. potash, and 2 i to 3 per cent.nitrogen, applied in 100 gram doses to each vine, produced an averageincrease of 20 per cent. grapes more than the stable manured plants,and that the must was also richer in sugar.The cost of the manuremd labour was not greater than that of the stable manure employed ;the wood of the vines was stronger and healthier. J. F.Manuring Beet. By EOLDEFLEISS ( B e d . Centr., 1883, 380-381).-The author recommends a moderate use of stable manuresupplemented by Chili saltpetre as being most suitable for the fullproduction of sugar in the beet. Manures which are too rich innitrogen, such as sheep dung, or even too much Chili saltpetre, aredecidedly injurious. In the absence of stable manure, a mixture ofsuperphosphate with the saltpetre should be employed.Influence of Soil, Size of Seed, Period of Sowing, &c., on theQuality and Yield of Sugar-Beet. By G.MAREK (Bied. Cenir.,1883, 263-268).-The weakest growth was in sandy soil, better onsandyloam, strong on clay and humous sand, and luxuriant on moor-land; as regards the leaf growth, this was most abundant on thehumous soil, and this class of land also is most suitable for n heavycrop ; but the opposite is the case as regardssp. gr. of juice, for thereJ. F104 ABSTRACTS OF CHEMICAL PAPERS.the clay lands are most advisable, and this is true for the percentage ofsugar : the size of seed is not of much importance. The highest yieldis obtained when the c ~ o p is put in between the middle of April andend of May. It is advisable on all accounts to sow on the flat with40 : 20-25 cm., and on the ridge distance 45 : 20-25, and thehighest results, both yield ,and sugar, are obtained by sowing on theridge by Bertel's method, which consists in throwing up ridges 44 cm.apart, rolling them, and employing a combined manure and turnipdrill.E. W. P.Ammonia in Rain-water. By HOUZEATJ (Bied. Centr., 1883,425) .-The principal agents which increase or diminish the amount ofammonia are light and heat. In July the observer was not ableto detect even a trace of it in rain-water. He found that waterexposed to the action of sunlight for a long time lost a large part ofits ammonia. The amount of rainfall also has an influence; thesmaller the amount the more ammonia it contains. J. F.Origin of Combined Terrestrial Nitrogen. By A. M ~ ~ N T Zand E. AUBIN (Conzpt. rend., 97,240-243).-The principal source ofcombined nitrogen appears to be nitric .acid and oxides of nitrogen,formed by the action of atmospheric electricity on the nitrogen in theair.The main causes producing a diminution in the amount of com-bined nitrogen are, rapid combustion, which operates only to a limitedextent ; slow combustion, which is the most important cause of all ;and the yeduction of nitrates in water and soils, which plays a veryinsignificant part. I n order to ascertain whether these increasing anddiminishing forces are in equilibrium, it is necessary to determine theamount of nitric acid in the rain-water on different parts of the earth'ssnrface, and especially in tropical regions. The accurate estimationof nitrates can be performed only in a properly appointed laboratory,and it is advisable therefore, to collect the samples of rain-water insuch a way that they can be transported to a distance.The authorsrecommend to evaporate the rain-water to small bulk with potassiumhydroxide, out of contact with air and products of combustioil. Theconcentrated liquid is mixed with alcohol, and the authors find thatin this condition it may be preserved for any length of fime withoutundergoing any alteration. To apply this method to river water, &c.,3-45 litres of the water are evaporated to about 30 c.c., and mixedwith 60 C.C. of alcohol.Many cases of rapid combustion are accompanied by the formationof considerable quantities of nitric acid. The authors fiud that when1 gram of hydrogen burns in air, 0.001 gram of nitric acid is pro-duced, whilst the combustion of 1 gram of magnesium is accompaniedby the formation of 0.1 gram of nitric acid.It is probable, therefore,that a large quantity of nitrates were formed in the earlier stages ofthe earth's history during the process of cooling, and the luxuriantdevelopment of animal and vegetable life in prehistoric times waspossibly due to the presence on the earth's surface of a large quantityof combined nitrogen in an assimilable form. It would appear, there-fore, that the total amount of combined terrestrial nitrogen is graduallVEGETABLE PHYSIOLOGY AND AGRICULTURE. 105diminishing, unless the sources of loss are balanced by the action ofatmospheric electricity. C. H. B.By SCHULTZ and others(Bied.Centr., 1883, 232-243) .-Schultz considrers that the cultiva-tion of lupines is the cheapest method of supplying the soil withnitrogen, as they abstract this constituent from the air. According tohis experiments a soil in which lupines had grown showed an amountof nitrogen double that in grass land, and more than that found inpotato and rye land. According to Schultz all that is necessary for a,good crop of lupines is the addition of kainite ; phosphates do not givea satisfactory result. Drechsler criticising Schultz’s statements, showsthat lupines do not add nitrogen to the soil, but rather, like all large-leafed crops, even when they draw their supplies of nitrogen from thesubsoil, are consumers of nitrogen instead of collectors, and he alsoconsiders that the Lupitz system, unless nitrogen is added to theland, cannot last.Blomeyer’s opinion is that the leguminose are‘‘ nitrogen collectors,” and for this reason, that they keep the surfaceof the soil moist, and so prevent the volatilisation of ammoniacalcompounds. Marcker is unable to answer the qnestion whence theexcess of nitrogen which is present in the Lupitz soil is derived, for6751bs. N have in 15 years been withdrawn, and only that nitrogenadded from the usual natural, viz., t’he atmospheric, not artificialsources. It is possible that the deep rooting lupines may separatenitrogen from solutions which are too dilute for okher plants, and theretention of nitrates on the surface soil may be due to the shelterafforded by the foliage, preventing loss by rainfall.He believes thatby the continued use of kainite the nitrogen in time will be lost, andthat though phosphates are now useless, they will hereafter berequired; in the 1 5 years 3.000--2000 kilos. lime per hectare havebeen removed, by reasdn of the potash manure, so that this consti-tuent will before long be required, Marcker believes that potassiumchloride as carnallite is a better manure than the sulphate as kainite.The Lupitz Method of Cultivation.E. W. P.Moss and Turf Fibre as Cattle Litter. By M. FLETSCHER andothers (Bied. Centr., 1883, 368--373).-The use of so-called “ mosslitter ” obtained from certain bogs in Northern Germany has becomevery general. The authors of this paper have examined samples ofordinary fibrous peat, separated artificially, and intended as substitutesfor the former, one sample procured from Wiirtemburg, the otherfrom a Silesian bog.They found that air-dried samples containing20 per cent. of moisture, absorbed 6g-95 times their weight of water,and their power of absorbing carbonate of ammonia for 1000 parts ofmoss, 13-16 parts of ammonium carbonate.1000 partsof each contain -The manurial value of the different samples is given.Wiirtemburg Silesian North Germanfibre. fibre. moss.Nitrogen . . . . . . . . 22.0 parts 29.0 parts 9.0 partsPhosphoric acid.. 0% ,, 0.6 >, 0.4 ,9Lime , . . . , . . . . . 17.2 ,, 31.0 ,, 2-0 ,106 ABSTRACTS O F CHEMICAL PAPERS.The two samples of fibrous turf are consequently much morevaluable as manure than the moss ; and containing much lime, theirnitrogen is probably more readily decomposed, and available for plantnutrition.Analysis of turf fibre employed as absorbents in public and privatemiddens in Bremen, and in horse stables, yielded the following results,calculated to 1000 parts of the dry substance :-Public Privatelatrines.la trines. Stables.Nitrogen.. ...... 46.6 27.8 17.3Mineral matters.. 118.8 ? 167.0Potash.. ........ 23.3 9.3 7.9Phosphoric acid.. 18.7 10.6 7.0The samples were free from smell, and although containing a con-siderable amount of moisture, formed a compact and portable mass.The remainder of the paper is occupied with experiments on variouscrops with the moss after being used as litter, and in all cases theresults were satisfactory.J. I!.Sea Mud. By M. FLEISCHER', A. KONIG, and B. KISSLING (Bied.Centr., 1883, 243--250).-3hd is deposited at the mouths of mostrivers, which it is advantageous t o the harbour authorities andto the farmer to remove. Analyses show that with but slightvariation the deposits are of the same composition, the principalvariant being sand. This mud when exposed to the air dries to afirm compact and plastic mass, and at the same time that it loses water,it also diminishes in volume ; in one case the ratio of loss of wat,er toloss of volume was 1 : 0.55. The changes effected by long storageare of considerable importance to the agriculturist, for the physicalcharacter changes, the mud becoming more pulverulent, and conse-quently more easily applied to the land, and this is especially the caseafter frost; also water being lost and volume reduced, transportexpenses are lowered, chloimdes are lost, ferrous oxide and sulphidebecome oxidised, plant and animal remains become more decomposed,and but little, if any, nitrogen is lost.Further changes are inducedby frost and thawing, for the dry matter is raised from 45-6-6546 percent., and the whole becomes still more friable, and a higher per-centage of soluble sulphate and lime is obtained. E. W. P.Destruction and Utilisation of the Bodies of Animals whichhave Died from Contagious Diseases, especially from Anthrax.By A. GIRARD (Cowpt.. r.e?zd., 97, 74--77).-The body, withoutremoval of the skin, 6s dissolved in tlhe cold in concentrated sulphuricacid of about 60".Complete solution1 takes place with comparativerapidity, and the acid can be used repeatedly until its degree of con-centration is diminished to 43". Direct experiments have proved thatall germs are destroyed in the process of solution. The acid liquidobtained contains a considerable proportion of nitrogen, and has thepower of readily attacking natural phosphates yielding highly nitroVEGETABLE PEYSJOLOGY AND AGRICULTURE. 107genous superphosphates. A layer of fattymatter floats on the surfaceof the acid solution, and may be removed and purified.C. H. B.Guano recently discovered in Australia. By A. B. GRIFFITHS(Bied. Centr., 1883, 427).-The following is the analysis of twosamples :-No.1. No. 2.Nitrogenous organic matterand ammoniacal salts .... 46.72 4G73Phosphoric acid .......... 15.02 15. LOLime .................... 18.00 17.99Alkaline salts ............ 1.42 1.41Sand .................. 2.71 2-71Water .................. 15.92 16.0799.79 100*01--J. F.Manurial Value of Sewer Slime. By M. FLEISCHER (Bied.Centr., 1883, 426--427).-1n Brernen several sewers connected withhouses, and containing much urine, are led into a small stream with agentle fall ; the solids precipitate, and are removed for agriculturalpurposes. An analysis of a sample yields the following :-With 45 perDry. cent. of water.Potash.. .............. 6.3 3.5Lime ................ 17.2 9.5Phosphoric acid ........8.0 4.4Total nitrogen. ......... 11.6 6.4The reaction is acid, and it contains soluble iron salts ; ignited in aplatinum capsule sulphurous acid is evolved. The wet material whenheaped up yields a drier mass of 50-60 per cent. ; it must be exposeda, long while t o the air in consequence of the sulphur compounds.Another sample drawn from a pond into which the night soil froma part of the city was for a long time allowed to flow. This samplealso gave an acid reaction. The addition of hydrochloric acid causesevolution of sulphuretted hydrogen.This sample yielded in 1000 parts-Water ..............Combustible matter . .Nitrogen ............Insoluble in HC1.. ....Potash ..............Soda ................Lime ................Magnesia ............Iron and alumina ....Phosphoric acid......Sulphuric acid ......Fresh.F89-7027.201.4654.250.980.34191-1-3518-250.523.65Dried at 100".I251.013.2498.88.93-117.312.2165.54.733.1J. F108 ABSTRACTS OF CHEMICAL PAPERS.Constituents and Properties of some Water Plants. ByNIEDERSTADY (Landw. 7ersuchs.-Stat., 29, 247-250).Strntiotes a1oides.-The use of this as manure has been followed byexceedingly good results, bekter in fact than with any other ordinarymanure. Analysis of the ash shows that it is very rich in alkalis andphosphates. I t contailis 19.5 per cent. of ash, and 15.7 per cent.protejin. I n the ash was found 14.2 per cent. soda, 15.9 per cent.potash, and 11.4 per cent. phosphoric acid..Nymnphcea aZba.-The leaves of this plant yielded 11.1 per cent.of ash, consisting chiefly of alkaline chlorides and calcium carbonate,and the same may be said of the ash of the leaves of Nuplzay lutez6na.The flowers of these plants contained large quantities of chloride andphosphate of potassium.Kainite as Potato Manure. By M. FLEISCHER (Bied. Centr.,1883, 366-367).-These experiments were made at the inst'ance of theCentral Moor Commission, in order to learn the effects of early andlate applications of kainite to potatoes. Four plats were manuredwith precipitated phosphate and Chili saltpetre ; t o one no potashsalt was applied; No. 2 received kainite in September; No. 3 kainitein December, and No. 4 immediateIy previous t o planting, the effectof the kainite was remarkable, the average of the crop taken off thethree plots on which it was used, being three times as great asthat from the other plot. The yield of the three plots treatedwith kainite was nearly alike, but the flavour of the Septembermanured plot was best ; the yield of starch, however, determined byKonig's sp. gr. method, was :-J. K. C.September plot. December plot. At sowing.100 67 64Similar experiments were made by Wild% in 1882. The time ofapplying the kainite did not appear to affect the gross weight of thecrop, but the starch percentage was greatly diminished by late appli-cations. When the kainite was applied at the under-mentionedperiods the net yield of starch and its proportion, taking the highestfigure as 100, were :-Pour weeksAutumn. Early spring. before planting. At planting.Centner .. 20.9 18.8 18.1 17-5100 90 87 84The author ascribes the loss of starch to the presence of chlorides.J. P