VEGETABLE PHYSIOLOGY AND AGRICULTURE. 33 Chemistry of Vegetable Physiology and Agriculture. [Effect of Mineral and Nitrogenous Nutritive Matters on the Fermenting Capacity of Yeasts.] By R. KUSSEROW (Ried. Centr., 1899, 28, 630-632 ; from Brennerei-Zeit., 1897, 14, Nos. 318-320 ; and Centr. Bakt. Parasit., 1898, 4, ii, 154).-Addition of superphosphate, potassium phosphate, and magnesium sulphate in- creases the productive power of yeast in bad mash-material. Yeast distilleries should employ lower mash temperatures, to avoid separation of proteids with phosphates ; in thick mash distilleries, the temperatures should be higher in order to separate froth-producing proteids, and to convert peptones and albumoses, as far as possible, into amides. N. H. J. M. Yeast. By CARL BOTTINGER (Chem.Zeit., 1899,23, 313 and 645).- Solutions of grape sugar (5-6 per cent.) to which yeast was added were treated with lime (0.25 t o 2 per cent.), with copper sulphate (0-17-1 per cent.), and with both substances toget,her. I n every case, there was a partial or complete destruction of the sugar in a few days, either with or without evolution of gas. With glycollic acid (0.33 per cent.) all the sugar fermented with abundant liberation of carbon dioxide, With glyoxylic acid, the production of carbon dioxide was only slight and soon ceased ; further addition of yeast induced renewed liberation of gas, and in 30 days nearly half of the sugar was re- covered; oxalic acid was found to be present. Pyruvic acid acts similarly to, but less energetically than, glyoxylic acid, and gives rise to an intense odour of Lotus.Further experiments were made with paraldehyde, acetone, acetic acid, benzaldehyde, tartaric, citric, and oxalic acids. As regards the effect of sugar on the fermentation of grape juice, i t was found that addition of 10 per cent. of grape sugar delayed the production of mould. I n both cases, evolution of gas was very limited, and on distilling on the 20th day, there was only enough alcohol produced, both with and without sugar, to allow of detection by the iodoform test. The effect of sugar was rather physical than chemical. By H. MARSHALL WARD and JOSEPE REY- NOLDS GREEN (Proc. Roy. Xoc., 1899,65,65--84).--The bacteriumoccurs along with a t least one yeast in a mixture of organisms said to have come from Madagascar, where it occurs as an “ excrescence on the sugar cane.” The clumps induce vigorous fermentation in sugar solutions (15-20 per cent.), liberating relatively enormous amounts of carbon dioxide and some acid; oxygen is not necessary in any quantity.The bacterium will practically only grow in presence of sugar, and only certain sugars are suitable : sucrose (after undergoing inversion) is far the best, Iaevulose is utilised t o a slight extent, and dextrose is not a favourable medium. Dextrin, maltodextrin, maltose, lactose, N. H. J. M. A Sugar Bacterium. VOL. LXXVIII. ii. 334 ABSTRACTS OF CHEMICAL PAPERS. and soluble starch are all unsuitable or useless. Negative results were also obtained with glycerol and yeast extract, starch treated with diastase, potato, carrot, and milk.I n order to throw some light on the r6Ze of the bacterium and the yeastsrespectively in the fermentation produced by the mixed organisms, a number of experiments were made in which different solutions (such as sucrose, a mixture of sucrose and ltevulose, dextrose, &c.) were sown with pure cultures of (1) the yeast, (2) the bacterium, (3) the yeast and bacterium separately, and (4) the yeast and bacterium as ordinarily associated. It was found that production of alcohol was due to the yeast alone, the bacterium being without influence. The acid (acetic and succinic) was produced mainly by the bacterium ; of the two acids relatively more acetic acid was produced by the bacterium than succinic acid. I n sucrose, and in dark brown sugar containing lz?vulose, the conjoint organism produced less acids than the bacterium alone, whilst in dextrose the contrary was the case.The presence of the bacterium is of no advantage, but rather disadvantageous to the yeast, whilst the yeast is of use to the bacterium in excreting nitrogenous food. The bacterium does not affect alcohol like ordinary acetifying organisms, and seems to act directly on the sugar with production of acid, the immediate antecedent of which is probably laevulose. In sucrose, the bacterium produces a viscous material containing two carbohydrates in many respects similar to, but not quite identical with, Scheibler's dextran. N. H. J. M. Permanent Forms of Nitric and Nitrous Organisms. By ALFREDBEDDIES (Chem. Zeit., 1899,23,645-647).-Sterilised solutions containing the nutritive substances present in manure heaps, the percen- tage of nitrogen being raised to 3 per cent.by the addition of ammonium sulphate, in which the alkalinity was made suitable by the addition of sodium carbonate or of phosphoric acid, were inoculated with soil, After being kept for several weeks in diffused light a t 20--25O, the cultures in which nitrification was complete were employed for inocu- lating a fresh nutritive substance containing 1 per cent. of a strong solution of humus and 0.25 per cent. of sodium silicate. Cultivations of nitrifying organisms prepared in this manner proved to be much less sensitive than those obtained by Winogradsky in absence of organic matter. Four stable varieties of nitric and three varieties of nitrous bauteria were isolated.The strongest form of the nitric bacterium resisted the action of steam a t 100' for 2 minutes ; and one form of nitrous bacterium lived for 1 minute in steam a t looo. Nitric and nitrous bacteria can be cultivated together and do not interfere with each other, and an inoculating material was prepared by drying previously sterilised calcareous soil to which both forms had been added. P o t experiments are described in which grasses and cereals were grown in sterilised sand to which sterilised humus, ammonium sulphate, and minerals were added, with and without the addition of the inoculatingrnaterial. With inoculation, the growth was stronger and more luxuriant.VEGETABLE PHYSIOLOGY AND AGRICULTURE. 35 Evidence was obtained that, in presence of an abundance of nitrifying organisms, denitrification is hindered and there is no loss of free nitrogen, When, however, denitrifying organisms predominate, the nitrifying bacteria are injured, especially if aeration is limited.N. H. J. M. Germination of the Carob Bean (Ceratonia Siliqua) : Pro- duction of Mannose by a Soluble Ferment, By EMILE BOURQUELOT and HENRI HI~RISSEY (Compt. rend., 1899, 129, 614-616).-1n the germination of the carob bean, a soluble ferment is produced which acts on the albumin in the seed and produces from it mannose and galactose. Since saliva does not act on this albumin, i t follows that the ferment in question is distinct from diastase. This is the first instance of the production of mannose by a soluble ferment (compare Abstr., 1899, i, 839, 968). Action of Anasthetic Vapours on the Vitality of Dry and Moist Seeds.By HENRI COUPIN (Compt. rend., 1899, 129, 561-562).-The germinating power of the seeds of wheat and clover is not in the least affected by exposure, in the dry state, to the satu- rated sapour of ether or chloroform for 680 hours. These liquids may therefore be safely used for the destruction of insects in grain, and are to be preferred tocarbon disulphide, which has an injurious action on some seeds, such as wheat. Experiments with white lupin, purple clover, hairy spring vetch, buckwheat, wheat, barley, maize, and hemp show that moist seeds are much more susceptible to the action of anzesthetics. I n an atmosphere containing 1 C.C. of ether per 10 litres, germination takes place as usual; with a larger quantityof ether, growth is more or less retarded, purple clover being the most resistant of the seeds examined, and with 3.7 C.C.of ether per 10 litres all the seeds are killed, and will not germinate even when removed from the action of the ether and washed well with water. Absorption of Water ,and Dissolved Substances by the Stems of Plants. By EMILE BR~AL (Ann. Agron., 1899, 25, 449--458).-The absorption of different substances by plants was effected by inserting in the stemaglass tubes drawn out to a suitable size, containing the solutions. Whilst nitrates can accumulate inplants, i t was found that ammonium salts, although absorbed, are soon converted into other substances, Nitrates accumulated abundantly in the stems, but could not be detected in the roots. Potassium humate was absorbed by lupins, and was afterwards visible when the stems were cut open.In the case of maize, it was observed that absorption of potassium humate resulted in the destruction of the nitrates present, Potassium humate, in con- junction with ammonium phosphate, diminished the amount of nitrate in amaranth without causing its entire disappearance ; in the case of lupins, all the pre-existing nitrate disappeared. Food-stuffs of the Leaves of the Plane-tree and their Migration during the Growth and Decay of the Leaves. By G. M. TUCKER and BERNHARD TOLLENS (Ber., lh99,32,2575-2583).- The leaves examined were picked at intervals during the summer ; 500 C. H. B. N. L. N. H. J. M.3-236 ABSTRACTS OF CHEMICAL PAPERS. being taken on each occasion; to obtain comparable results, only the two oldest leaves on any one twig were selected. After weighing and measuring the surface of an average sample, the leaves were dried, burnt, and the ash analysed, the constituents determined being SiO,, Fe,C),+Al,O,, CaO, -MgO, P,O,, SO,, K,O, Na,O, C1, and N, The results show that the weight and also the amount of ash of the leaves increased until the leaves died, and then slightly decreased. The amounts of silica and lime show a similar behaviour, but the chlorine and sulphuric acid show a continuous increase, leaves plucked in November containing three times as much sulphuric acid as those plucked in June. Those constituents regarded as the more important food-stuffs show a quite different behnviour ; the phosphoric acid and the potash increase very slightly until the leaves die, after which they diminish to less than half their original amounts.The amount of nitrogen steadily falls, having a t the end a value less than one-fourth of the initial value. Young leaves gathered in November show the presence of large quantities of potash, phosphoric acid, and nitrogen, the amounts of which are sufficient to account for the loss in these constituents suffered by the older leaves after death; any backward motion of these food-stuffs from the leaves to the stem or wood of the twigs the authors regard as of small amount. Comparative experiments with leaves protected from rain and others non-protected show that rain has little, if any, washing-out action on the food stuffs of the leaves.The Replacement of Potassium Salts by Rubidium Salts in Lower Fungi. By OSCAR LOEW (Bied Centr., 1899, 28, 646-647 ; from Rot. Centr., 1898? 74,202-205).-Whilst the author has shown that rubidium can take the place of potassium in putrefaction bacteria, yeast, and Penicillium, the results of Gunther’s experiments indicate that such substitution can take place to some extent in Botrytis cirnerea, but not in Rhixopus nigricans. The experiments now described confirm Gunther’s observation that differences exist in the case of various fungi as regards the power of utilising rubidium. Rucillus coli develops equally well in the presence of rubidium and of potassium ; B. pyocyaneus grows twice as quickly in the presence of potassium as with rubidium.Clccdothrix failed to develop in the presence of rubidium, whilst a moderate growth was obtained with potassium (the organic food was 1 per cent, dextrose and 0.5 per cent. sodium ace tat e). Yellow Colouring Matters accompanying Chlorophyll and their Spectroscopic Relations. By C. A. SCHUNCK (PTOC. Roy. SOC., 1899, 65, 177-186. Compare Abstr., 1899, ii, 540).-Alcoholic extracts of healthy green leaves contain two yellow colouring matters : (1) chrysophyll which separates in lustrous, red crystals, usually in minute quantities, and (2) an amorphous substance to which the author would restrict the name xanthophyll. This is obtained by spontaneous evaporation of the solution, after removing the chloro- phyll by means of animal charcoal, and is impregnated with much T.H. P. N. H. J. M.VEGETABLE PHYSIOLOGY AND AGRICULTURE. 37 fatty matter. Another yellow colouring matter sometimes occurs witti the xanthophyll; this gives no absorption bands, but only 8.n obscuration in the violet and ultra-violet portion OF the spectrum. Other yellow colouring matters may exist, but xanthophyll seems to predominate, and is also the principal yellow colouring matter of autumn leaves. The absorption spectrum of chrysophyll consists of three bands, that of xanthophyll of four bands, in the violet and ultra-violet portions. The author concludes that the spectrum of crude chloro- phyll (four bands in the less refrangible region and three in the violet) are due to chlorophyll alone, and not, as usually supposed, in part to the accompanying yellow colouring matters.Phyllocyanin and phylloxanthin have bands in positions identical with the three chlorophyll bands in the violet part of the spectrum. Wheat. By GEORGE B. FRANKFORTER and E. P. HARDING (J. Amer. Chern. Soc., 1899, 21, 758-769).-The germ of wheat was found to contain on the average 11.6 per cent. of oil. The sp, gr. of the oil is 0.9292 a t 15" and 0,9374 a t 0". At O", the oil is a cloudy semi-solid, at 15' it is milky, and a t 100' it becomes reddish-brown. When dried a t the ordinary temperature, it increases slightly in weight during the first 45 days, and loses rather more during the next 30 days. The index of refraction of the oil when purified is 1048325, 1.47936, and 1.47447 at Z O O , 30°, and 40' respectively.As regards solubility, 1 gram of the oil dissolves in 1 C.C. of ether, 1 C.C. of chloroform, 30 C.C. of absolute alcohol, or 350 C.C. of 90 per cent. alcohol. The saponification value, according to Kottstorfer's method, is 188.83 mg. of KOH to 1 gram of oil. Iodine number (Hubl) 115.64. Acid value, 40.7. Five determinations of glycerol gave an average per- centage of 7.35. The oil contains 2.0 per cent. of lecithin and 2.47 (mean of 5 analyses) of paracholesterol. The elaidin method gave 1.8 and 2.2 per cent. of paracholesterol. By JULES WOLFF (Chem. Centr., 1899, ii, 211-212; from Ann, chim. anal. appl., 4, 157-162, 187-193). -The root of Cichorium Intybus contains inulin, 6C,H,00, + H,O, but no starch. The inulin obtained from the aqueous extract of the root by precipitating with 90 per cent.alcohol has a specific rotatory power [ a J u -36.57' (Lescceur and Morelle) and does not reduce Fehling's solution. It is completely inverted by boiling for 20 minutes with 5 C.C. of hydrochloric acid, and the laevulose formed may be estimated by reduction or polarimetrically. An optically inactive sugar, ZcevuZin or synanthrose, which does not reduce Fehling's solution, is also present, and is decomposed by hydrochloric acid into dextrose and lzevulosa. Chicory only contains a very small quantity of a sugar which reduces Fehling's solution directly, and this is probably lmw- lose derived from the inulin. The sugars are practically unchanged by drying the root, but by roasting, the quantity of reducing sugars which consist mainly of laevulose with some dextrose is increased, a large portion of the inulin is changed, and caramel and dextrin are formed.The inulin contained in chicory may possibly be of use as a food in N. H. J. M. N. H. J. M. Constituents of Chicory.38 ABSTRACTS OF CHEMICAL PAPkRS. cases OF diabetes. The fresh root contains about 13-15 per cent. and commercial chicory from about 11-16 per cent, of inulin. Analyses of the fresh root, the dried material, and samples of commercial chicory are quoted. Constituents of Flores Kosso. By IWAN L. KONDAKOFF (Arch. Pharm., 1899, 237, 481--493).-An historical account of previous investigations, serving as an introduction t o the following abstract (compare especially, Fluckiger and Buri, Abstr., 1875, 468 ; Levin, Diss., St.Petersburg, 1892 : Leichsenring, Abstr., 1894, i, 424 ; Daccomo and Malagnini, Abstr., 1899, i, 158). Kossin or Taeniin of Pavesi and V6e. By IWANL. KONDAKOFF and N. SCHATZ (Avch. Phurm., 1899, 237, 493--507).--FZores Kosso, the female flowers of Hagenia abyssinica, are used as a vermifuge ; the sample examined contained moisture 10.5 and ash 10.3 per cent. The flowers were !treated with lime, 90 per cent. alcohol, and water, after the method of Pavesi (Journ. Yhurm. d'Amers, 1858, 472) and VBe (Neues Rep. Pharm., 8, 325); the alcohol was distilled off from the extract, and the residue decomposed with acetic acid, when kossin separated. When a solution of kossin in cold acetic acid or in alcohol is allowed t o remain, crystals of kosin separate.If a solu- tion of kosin in caustic alkalis is acidified with phosphoric acid, or a solution in baryta water decomposed with carbon dioxide, an amorphous variety of kosin, melting at 142q separates ; probably kossin contains a good deal of this. The ethereal extract of another sample of the flowers contained ( a ) an amorphous substance mixed with ( b ) another substance, which was insoluble in cold alcohol, and formed crystals melting a t 63", ( c ) an amorphous substance, characterised by acid and reducing properties, and melting at 155-157" ; ( d ) a wax-like substance, melting at 55" ; (e) a resinous substance, and ( f ) kosotoxin. The latter amounted to 6 per cent. of the dry extract (which itself formed 4.7 per cent. of the drug). As regards kosotoxin, Leichsenring's results were not entirely confirmed ; the melting point is 76'; the molecular formula, as deter- mined by analysis and cryoscopically, is C,,H,,O,, and the acid formed, in addition to kosin, when kosotoxin is boiled with 5 per cent.aqueous barium hydroxide, is not wholly a butyric acid, but contains another acid (valeric 2) admixed. The residue left after extraction of the flowers with ether yielded to alcohol an amorphous tannin, the amorphous substance (a), koso- toxin, and other substances which mere not separated. Detection of Sulphur Dioxide in the Atmosphere of the Tharandt Forest. By HANS WISLICENUS (Bied. Centr., 1899, 29, 643-644 ; from Fharundt forst. Jahrb., 1898, 173--184).-Experi- ments made by the Ost process from May to October in different parts of the forest, a t a distance of 10 kilometres from any source of smoke, showed the presence of sulphur dioxide inside the forest, although in less quantity than a t the edges.The results of previous experiments indicate, however, that in consequence of the limited amount of light in the forest the sulphurous acid is comparatively harmless. E. W. W. C. F. B. C. F. B. N. H. J. M.VEGETABLE PHYSIOLOGY AND AGRICULTURE. 39 Maize as Food in Servia. By ALESANDEE ZEGA and R. MAJSTOROVI~ (Chern. Zeit., 1899, 23, 544-545).-Maize is the most important food in Servia, and in some districts nothing else is used. Besides boiled and roasted maize, different kinds of bread (including “ famine bread,” an inferior kind in which carrots, nettles, &c., are employed as well as maize), cakes, and other kinds of food, and a beverage, prepared from maize meal and wheat bran, are described.Maize meal (1) yellow, and (2) white, has the following composition : Nitrog. Carbo- Crude Water. subst. Fat. hydrates. Sugar. fibre. Ash. P203 1. 12.69 10.11 4.23 67-44 2.70 1.43 1.40 0.74 2. 13.36 9.56 4-84 66.36 2.68 1-72 1.48 0.68 The composition of the various foods is given. Determination of the Action of some new Foods on the Secretion of Milk, with Special Reference to the Amount of Fat in the Rations formed with these Foods. By EBERHARD RAMM and W. MINTROP (Bied. Centr., 1899, 28, 614-616 ; from Milchzeit., 1898, No. 33).-The following conclusions are drawn from the results of the feeding experiments. A high percentage of fat in food does not result in higher percentage of fat in milk, but the different concentrated foods, in rations differing very little in composition, pro- duced considerable variations in the percentage of fat in the milk As regards the various foods, i t was found that cocoa-molasses (cocoa- husk meal mixed with molasses) was consumed in large amounts and, in conjunction with oil-cake rich in proteids, increased the yieId of butter-fat above the average, Maize bran had no injurious effect on the health of the cows, even when consumed in large quantities.Blood molasses (blood, molasses, and offal of cereals) in quantities of 6-8 kilos. mas not injurious, was in every respect favourable to milk secretion, and is a very valuable food for cows. Value of various Concentrated Foods. By WALDEMAR VON KNIERIEM (Bied.Centr., 1899, 28, 616-618 ; from Landw. Jahrb., 1898, Heft. 3 and 4).-The constituents of cocoa-nut cake show, according to results obtained with rabbits, the following percentage digestibility : crude protein, 95.7; crude fat, 99.1 ; crude fibre, 89.1 ; non-nitrogenous substance, 95.2. With a ram, the results were very similar (except in the case of crude fibre) to those obtained by Kuhn with bullocks. The cake is one of the best concentrated foods. Hemp cake causes indigestion with rabbits as well as with sheep and horses; it can, however, be given to cows in conjunction with considerable amounts of roots, potatoes, malt-germs, or brewers’ grains, and is of importance in the feeding of young cattle. Sun- flower cake gave lower results with rabbits than those given by Wolff, which were obtained with sheep.Rape cake in small quantities favours the digestion of non-nitrogenous constituents ; in the case of cows, it must be employed with care to avoid indigestion, especially when the cake develops mustard oil. Palm cake resembles cocoa-nut cake and is chiefly useful in promoting milk production. N. H. J. M. (2.327-3.437). N. H, J. M. N. H. J. M.40 ABSTRACTS OF CHEMICAL PAPERS. In Feeding with Sesame Cake, do Substances which give the Baudouin Reaction appear in the Butter ? By H . WEIGMANN (Bied. Centr., 1899, 28, 629-630 ; from Milchzeit., 1898, 529)- Experiments with cows in which sesame cake was given in increasing qlxantity (up to 3 kilos. per day) showed that the butter was quite free from sesame oil.I n examining butter for sesame oil, i t is important to employ only 0.1 C.C. of 1 per cent. furfuraldehyde solution; with 1 per cent. sesame oil or 10 per cent margarine, the coloration appears at once, whilst any other coloration can only appear in the course of about half an hour. The results obtained by Scheibe (Milchxeit., 1897, ’745) and Siegfeld (Bied. Centr., 1899, 28, 415), which are opposed to those just described, are attributed t o the employment of unsuitable amoiints of furfuraldehyde, and to the correct conditions as to time and temperature not having been observed. By FRANK W. TRAPHAGEN and W. M. COBLEIGH (J. Arner. Chem. Xoc., 1899, 21, 753-757).-The bare patches of soil incrusted with white, red, or yellow salt which occur in Montana, and are known as ‘‘ alkali ” soils, are of two kinds, the “ white,” consisting mainly of sodium sulphate, and the ‘‘ black,” of sodium carbonate.The appearance of the latter is due to the solvent action of the carbonate on humus which, on evaporation, is left as a shiny black coating on the surface. As little as 0.1 per cent. of sodium carbonate at the surface is deleterious, whilst crops will thrive in the presence of as much as 0.6 per cent. of ‘‘ white alkali.” Larger quantities of white alkali are injurious rather by interference with the process of osmosis than through any chemical action. Analyses of different soils and crusts are given, showing that the amounts of soluble salts differ widely ; there is, however, a very con- stant relation of the amounts of different salts in the extracts.In virgin soils, the alkali occurs at considerable depths, and is mostly concentrated in a particular zone. Under the influence of irrigation, the salts rise to the surface. The best remedy would seem to be under-drainage, but, in the case of land of insufficient value, much can be done by careful surface flooding and suitable cropping. N. H. J. M. AJkali Soil in Montana. N. H. J. M. Distribution and Biological Importance of Furfuroids in Soil. By JULIUS STOKLASA (Bied. Centr., 1899, 28, 5 8 8 4 8 9 ; from Zeit. landw. Versuchswesen, Oesterr., 1898, 1, 251-266. Compare Abstr., 1898, ii, 132).-The furfuroids in soil are produced by algae and bacteria. The dry substance of Pleurococcus oulyaris, which grows on rocks, contains 3.43, that of Nostoc, 5.06 per cent.of pentosans. Cultures o f Bacillus rnesentericus, which is very common in soils, contained 2.31 per cent. of pentosans in the dry substance. Par- rnelia, Lecanora, H y p u m Xchreberi and H. dieramurn, and Sphagnum cymbifolium contain respectively 3-46, 3.43, 6-1 9, 10.78, and 15.44 per cent. of pentosans. Other plants of importance in peat production were found to contain the following amounts o f pentosaus : Pteris uquilina, 18.S ; dspidium, 19.1 ; Equiseturn arvense, 33.5 and 21.1 ; Lycopodiurn, 24.6 ; Cnrex acuta, 19.6 in above-ground growthVEGETABLE PHYSIOLOGY AND AGRICULTURE. 41 and 26.5 in roots ; Calluncc uulgccris, 17.3 and 23.2 per cent. in above- ground growth and roots respectively.Peat was found to contain 17.4 per cent. of pentosans in the first 10 cm., 10.38 per cent. at a depth of 50 cm., 5.34 per cent. at 100 CM., and 1.60 per cent. a t a depth of 2 metres. The surface soil of forest land yielded 3.27, the soil at a depth of 50 cm. 0.83 per cent. of f urfuraldehyde. Observations on the Growth of Maize continuously for Nine Years. By EDWARD H. JENKINS (Ann. Rep. Conn. Agric. Exper. Stat. for 1896, No. 20, 335--341).-The four plots received: (1) cow manure, (2) hog manure, (3) chemical manures, and (4) no manure. The average relative yield'of dry produce from 1890-1896 was as follows : plot 1, 100 ; plot 2, 100.4 ; plot 3, 81.8 ; and plot 4, 51.0. Taking the produce of each plot as 100 in 1890, the following amounts were obtained in 1896.The average composition (6 years) of the kernels and stalks was practically the same in the case of plots 1 and 2. In plot 3 (1,500 lbs. of chemical manure), the kernels contain rather less ash and fat, and 0.5 per cent. less proteids than those of plots 1 and 2, but more nitrogen-free extract. The stalks show similar differences. The kernels of the unmanured plot contain 2 per cent. less proteids, rather less ash and fat, but more fibre and nitrogen-free extract than those of plots 1 and 2. The calculated gain or loss of manure constituents in the soil after 9 years cropping with maize was as follows in lbs. per acre: Plot 1. Plot 2. Plot 3. Plot 4. N. H. J. M. (l), 116 ; (a), 101 ; (3), 79 ; (4), 31. - -- N P,O, K,O N P,O, K,O N P20, K20 /N P,O, K20 A \ +1283 +893 t-156 +2174 +3987 - 7 +611 + l l l l +171 -338 +46 - 7 3 N. H.J. M. Manurial Experiments with Barley. By JOSEPH HANAMANN (Bied. Centr., 1899, 28, 638 ; from Zed. Zccndw. Versuchswesen Oesterr., 1898, 1, 277-285).-The experiments were conducted in zinc vessels containing 12% kilograms of sandy soil, loamy sand, loam, and clay soil respectively (five pots in each case). One pot of each soil was without manure, whilst pots 2-4 received sodium nitrate and potassium chloride. The third pots had in addition superphosphate, the fourth pots basic slag (containing the same amount of phosphate as was given to No. 3), the fifth pots basic slag in double quantity. The results indicate that spring manuring with basic slag is only advisable in the case of sandy soil, loamy sand, and peaty soil, but not in the case of loamy and clay soils, and the amount applied should be twice as great as that of superphosphate.Manurial Experiments with Lucerne. By MAX MAERCKER (Bied. Centr., 1899, 28, 635 ; from Lundw. 2uhrb., 1898, 2'7, 155).-It is thought that liberal application of phosphates mill not only increase the yield of lucerne, but will be of use in preventing the injurious effects of lucerne on a succeeding cereal crop (liability to be laid, fungus attack, k c . ) . N. H. J. M. N. H. J. M.42 ABSTRACTS OF CHEMICAL PAPERS. Experiments on the Availability of Fertiliser-Nitrogen. By SAMUEL W. JOHNSON, EDWARD H. JENKINS, and W. E. BRITTON (Ann. Rep. Conn. Agric. Zxper. Stat. for 1896, No. 20, 178-204. Compare ibid., No.19, and Abstr., 1896, ii, 620).-The nitrogen availability of the different manures for maize grown in coal-ashes and peat, compared with that of sodium nitrate as 100, was found to be as follows (average of three years, 1894-6) : collier castor pomace, 77 ; cotton seed meal, 74 ; red seal castor pomace, 70 ; linseed meal, 70 ; dried blood, 68 ; dry fish, 69 ; dissolved leather, 65 ; horn and hoof, 67 ; tankage, 61 ; steamed leather, 13 ; roasted leather, 9 ; raw leather, 2. On comparing the nitrogen availability of some nitrogenous super- phosphates, determined by vegetation experiments, with the solubility in chemical agents, the following results were obtained : Available Soluble in Soluble in permanganate. for maize, pepsin. Acid. Alkaline. Blood ..............47 47 47 47 Horn and hoof ... 43 28 42 52 Leather ............ 3 8 14 25 The chemical methods would therefore seem to be of value as indicating the probable relative effect of inferior nitrogenous manures. The agricultural value cannot, however, a t present be fixed without vegeta- tion experiments. By MAX MAERCKER (Bied. Centr., 1899, 28, 637; from Landw. Jahrb., 1898, 27, 151).- The effect of potassium phosphate and of kainite was to increase the percentage of proteids in the hay owing, as a botanical separation of the herbage showed, to increased growth of more nitrogenous plants, especially Legurninom. By BRUNO TACKE (Bied. Centr., 1899, 28, 589-611 ; from Landw. Jahrb., 1898, 27, ivy 1-258. Compare Abstr., 1897, ii, 515).-Manure salts con- taining 38 per cent.of potash as potassium chloride gave very good results with potatoes, and had practically no injurious effect when applied in the spring in amounts of as much as 200 kilos. of potash per hectare. Carnallite and kainite (225 kilos.) applied in the spring considerably diminished both the yield of tubers and the amount of starch; in some cases there is a decrease of starch in the dry matter, in otbers the lower percentage of starch in the tubers is due to an increase in the amount of water. Application of lime seems to lessen the injurious effect of spring manuring with potash on potatoes. Application of lime or marl to the soil for all kinds of crops is very beneficial for a time, and is even necessary when artificial manures are employed, but is subsequently injurious owing to the shrinking of the comparatively shallow layer of the surface soil.The injury can be overcome by subsoil liming. Phosphoric acid in the form of phosphorite should only be applied to peat land which retains a certain degree of acidity. Tankage ............ 45 39 45 43 N. H. J. M. Manurial Experiment on Meadow Land. N. H. J. M. Field Experiments on Peat Land, 1892-1897. N. H. J. M.VEGETABLE PHYSIOLOGY AND AGRICULTURE. 443 Manurial Experiments with Phosphorite and Basic Slag. By A. SEMPOLOWSKI (Bied. Centr., 1899, 28, 637-638; from Zeit. Zandw. Versuchswesen Oesterr., 1898, 1, 267--276).-Whilst hard crystalline phosphorite has to be converted into superphosphate, the so-called soft, non-crystalline mineral, if finely ground, can be employed, without further treatment, as manure. Experiments in which barley was grown in sandy loam and in peaty soil (contained in bottomless wooden boxes) manured with phosphorite meal and basic slag respectively, in addition to other manures, showed that the phos- phorite was decidedly effective, the increased production of barley, over the unmanured plots being not much less than that obtained under the influence of basic slag, N.H. J. M. Comparison between Bone- and Mineral-Superphosphate. By ANQELO MENOZZI (Bied. Centr., 1899, 28, 635; from Agricolt. moderna, 1897,50).-Maize grown in large zinc vessels was manured with equal amounts of phosphoric acid in the form of superphosphate from degelatinised bones and Florida phosphate respectively, in addition t o other manures.The results indicated only slight superiority of the bone as compared with the mineral super- phosphate. N. H. J. M. Phosphate Deposits in Japan. By I(. TSUNETO (Chem. Zeit., 1899, 23, 800 and 825--827).-In 1894, large deposits of phosphates were discovered in the miocene formation, extending over 720 square kilometres, in the south-west of the island Kiushu. The phosphates occur in nodules and aggregates in the lime-sandstone, in marl veins, and in dark brown veins of sandstone situated between the calcareous fine-grained sandstone. The nodules are generally rich in phosphates in the inner portion, whilst the outer layer is rich in iron ; they contain organic remains. The following is the percentage composition of (1) grey nodules, (2) light brown nodules, (3 and 4) aggregates, (5) balls, and (6) breccia : Water and organic. K20. NazO. CaO. MgO. FeO. Fe2O3. A1203. MnzO3. P2O5. 803. C02. Insol. 1. 1'26 - - 9'62 2.28 8.77 2-93 2-14 0.35 3-35 0.29 8.26 55-65 3. 0'65 - - 11.73 2.36 7.37 2.46 1.65 0'23 5'85 0'63 7-92 54-22 6, 2.15 1'04 0'42 16.76 1.20 - 3-89 1.98 - 9-47 trace 2'28 47.15 2. 1-48 -- - 12.71 2'28 8-95 2-99 2.88 0'39 4.76 0.53 7-08 55.25 4. 0.89 - - 10.56 1.14 7.88 1'64 2.00 - 7-14 0.51 6-81 57.43 5. 2.21 2-25 0.42 30.28 1'30 - 3-76 3-72 - 20'29 1'23 1'82 28'38 I n (5), a trace of chlorine and 2-09 per cent. of fluorine were found, and in (6) C1= 0.06 and F = 2.13 per cent. Although the percentage of phosphoric acid is generally low, the deposits are of importance in Japan where manures with very low percentages of phosphates are utilised. The best method for utilising the minerals containing 5-10 per cent. of phosphates seems to be extraction of the ground substance with 12.45 per cent. sulphuric acid (avoiding too great a rise of temperature) in amounts sufficient to decompose the phosphates and carbonates present. N. H. J. M.44 ABSTRACTS OF CHEMICAL PAPERS. The Reversion of Soluble Phosphoric Acid in Superphos- phates. By LUDWIG SCHUCHT (Chem. Cent?'., 1899, i, 1165-1166 ; from Chem. Ind., 22, 152--155).-Reversion does not take place unless the superphosphate is closely packed and consequently sub- mitted to pressure. Ferric and aluminium compounds are harmful as their phosphates act on the undecomposed calcium triphosphate and so yield insoluble phosphates. Silicates are also a source of loss in phosphoric acid ; their amount may be lessened by adding a regulated quantity of fluor-spar during the preparation of the superphosphnte. L. DE K.