ranged from 0.43 to 1.16 per cent, the average being 0.76 per cent. Data are also given for samples of smoked sheet prepared with different anticoagulants (formalin, sodium sulphite, and soda), indicating a variation in moisture content with differences in the method of preparation. In samples of lower grade a moisture content of 1.5 per cent was seldom exceeded.

The oil content, keeping qualities, and commercial possibilities of Para rubber seed, F. G. SPRING and F. W. F. DAY (Agr. Bul. Fed. Malay States, 6 (1918), No. 5, pp. 231-244).-This article includes a summary of information, previously noted (E. S. R., 31, p. 766), concerning the utilization of Para rubber seeds for technical purposes and as a feeding stuff and an account of recent investigations conducted by the Department of Agriculture of the Federated Malay States on the oil content of the seeds under varying conditions. The oil was extracted from crushed seeds with petroleum ether in a Soxhlet apparatus. Tables are given showing the percentage of oil in the seed and in the dried meal, the moisture, and the acidity calculated in milligrams of potassium hydroxid per gram of fat.

The experimental results show that any slight decomposition that may take place when the sun-dried seed is stored has little effect on the quantity or quality of the oil. The sun-dried seed with husks (moisture content 8.6 per cent) contains about 27 per cent of oil, equivalent to 29.5 per cent on the sundried meal. The husked seed (moisture content 6.4 per cent) contains 47.5 per cent of oil equivalent to 51 per cent on the dried meal. The average percentage of protein in the dried kernels is 15.3, representing 27.8 per cent on the residual cake after 45 per cent of oil has been expressed from the kernels.

The authors point out the commercial possibilities of the oil in that it requires little refining, is obtained from a waste product available in large quantities, and is easy to collect, transport, store, and crush. In view of restricted freight facilities, shipping the oil instead of the seed is suggested as more practical.

The balance of some of the principal constituents of the sugar beet during the manufacture of sugar, E. SAILLARD (Compt. Rend. Acad. Sci. [Paris], 166 (1918), No. 17, pp. 697-699; Vie Agr. et Rurale, 8 (1918), No. 30, pp. 67, 68).— The averages of numerous analyses of the sugar beet and of various by-products obtained in the manufacture of sugar have been compiled from statistics from 20 sugar factories throughout a period of 15 years, and are as follows:

Composition of products obtained from the sugar beet in the manufacture of sugar.

The author points out that the nitrogen from the diffusion pulp and carbonation cake can be returned to the soil, while the nitrogen which is separated as ammonia during the heating of the alkaline juices and sirup is lost in the water of condensation. This loss represents about 17 per cent of the total

nitrogen of the sugar beet, and combined with the nitrogen lost in the burning of the bagasse amounts to 50 per cent of the nitrogen. At the present price of nitrogen this loss is considered as deserving attention.

Maple sirup and sugar production, B. A. CHANDLER ([Albany]; N. Y. State Food Com. [1918], pp. 7).—This leaflet gives directions for sugar production on a small scale and with a standard equipment. Suggestions are given for marketing the products, and a list of the more important articles of a complete sugar-making equipment with average prices is appended.

Can, dry, and store for victory (Canada Food Controller Pamphlet 2 [1918], pp. 16, figs. 4).—This pamphlet gives general directions for the home canning, drying, and storing of vegetables and fruits.

Chemical French, M. L. DOLT, (Easton, Pa.: Chem. Pub. Co., 1918, pp. VIII+ 398). This book is intended for students of chemistry wishing to acquire a reading knowledge of chemical French. Part 1 consists of a review of the essentials of the language, followed by elementary exercises in inorganic, analytical, organic, physical, and industrial chemistry. Part 2 consists of selections for advanced reading, including articles published in the French journals of chemistry by some of the best-known French chemists.

METEOROLOGY.

The effect of weather on the yield of corn (U. S. Dept. Agr., Nat. Weather and Crop Bul., No. 12 (1918), p. 3).—It is stated that a rather exhaustive study of the effect of weather on the yield of corn has shown that the critical period in the growth of this cereal, during which favorable weather will cause a large crop and unfavorable weather a small yield, is comparatively brief. These studies have shown that the controlling weather factor varying the yield in the great corn producing areas of the United States is rainfall; and also that July is the most important calendar month, but that the period from about the middle of July to the middle of August has a far greater effect on the production of corn than any other period of similar length. The rainfall for the 10 days following the blossoming stage has an almost dominating effect upon the yield of corn, the yield varying directly with the amount of rainfall, provided the latter is not excessive. High temperature and dry weather during the 10 days after blossoming have a very unfavorable effect upon the yield."

On the effect of vegetation on the rainfall of South Africa, H. PEALING (So. African Jour. Sci., 14 (1917), No. 3, pp. 142-145).-In this article the author attempts to show that the amount of the inland summer rainfall is dependent to a large extent upon the character and quantity of the vegetation of the country intervening between the inland area and the coast from which the rain winds come. He "rejects the rain gauge as an instrument for determining whether the amount of rainfall in South Africa has been undergoing an alteration-as the character of the rainfall has undoubtedly altered over large tracts of the country-a large portion of the rainfall being torrential downpours where formerly gentle soaking rains were the rule."

Rainfall of the United States, C. F. BROOKS (Science, n. ser., 48 (1918), No. 1229, pp. 69-72).-This is a discussion of the original and seasonal distribution and intensity of rainfall in the United States, based upon rainfall maps prepared by the Weather Bureau for publication in an atlas of American agriculture.

Meteorological summaries (Kentucky Sta. Rpts. 1916, pt. 1, pp. 99-101; 1917, pt. 1, pp. 91-93).-Tables give the monthly and annual mean temperature and precipitation at Lexington, Ky., from 1872 to 1916 and 1917, inclusive,

T

respectively, as well as more detailed summaries of meteorological observations at the same place for 1916 and 1917.

Annual report of the Iowa Weather and Crop Service for 1917, G. M. CHAPPELL (Iowa Weather and Crop Serv. Ann. Rpt. 1917, pp. 67, figs. 2).—This report includes summaries of the monthly and weekly bulletins issued by the Iowa Weather and Crop Service in cooperation with the Weather Bureau of the U. S. Department of Agriculture.

The climate of Anne Arundel County [Maryland], O. L. FASSIG (Md. Geol. Survey [Rpt.], 8 (1917), pp. 175–192, pl. 1, figs. 4).—The available records of temperature and precipitation of this county for the greater part of the past 85 years are summarized in tables, and the climatic history of the past 20 years is presented in greater detail. The average annual temperature is about 56° F. The isotherm of 56° bends sharply toward the north through the county as a result of the influence of Chesapeake Bay. The frostless period averages fully 200 days, from the middle of April to the close of October. The average annual rainfall is about 45 in., and the distribution is very uniform.

Meteorological observations at the Massachusetts Agricultural Experiment Station, J. E. OSTRANDER, A. L. CHANDLER, and G. A. SMITH (Massachusetts Sta. Met. Buls. 353–354 (1918), pp. 4 each).-Summaries of observations at Amherst, Mass., on pressure, temperature, humidity, precipitation, wind, sunshine, cloudiness, and casual phenomena during May and June, 1918, are presented. The data are briefly discussed in general notes on the weather of each month.

Meteorological, magnetic, and seismic observations of the College of Belen, Habana, 1917, L. GANGOITI (Observatorio Meteorologico, Magnetico y Seismico del Colegio de Belen de la Compañia de Jesus en la Habana, aña de 1917, Habana, 1918, pp. 99).-Detailed daily and monthly summaries are given, and the characteristic features of each month are described in notes.

SOILS FERTILIZERS.

Physiological balance in the soil solution, R. P. HIBBARD (Michigan Sta. Tech. Bul. 40 (1918), pp. 5–44, figs. 8).—In an effort to obtain information concerning deficiencies in certain nutrients occurring in the soil and the consequent addition that should be made to procure the proper balance investigations were undertaken in which young wheat seedlings were used as physiological indicators. Soil solutions were secured from a very sandy soil low in fertility and from a fertile sandy loam soil by the Morgan oil-pressure method, previously noted (E. S. R., 39, p. 20). The soil extracts were then treated with a complete nutrient solution suggested by Shive (E. S. R., 36, p. 328), containing magnesium sulphate, calcium nitrate, and monopotassium phosphate in all possible combinations of 10 per cent increments. The experimental work embraced three sets of 36 cultures each. Initial osmotic concentrations ranged from 1.94 de atmospheres for the set representing the infertile soil to 3.56 for that representing the fertile soil. The third set of cultures, having a concentration of 1.94 atmospheres, was prepared by diluting the soil solution obtained from the fertile soil. All the cultures were compared on the basis of the dry weight of wheat seedlings produced (both tops and roots), upon transpiration and water requirement, and upon the range of ionic ratio values of Mg/Ca, Mg/K, and Ca/K and the relative dry weight of tops and roots. A method is described for obtaining a large supply of vigorous seedlings, together with a device for keeping the plants upright and separate during growth. The first set of experiments was conducted out of doors, while the other two were con

ducted in the greenhouse. All the data are presented in tabular form and fully discussed. The principal results may be summarized as follows:

Of the two soil solutions extracted, that from the fertile soil was capable of supporting a more luxuriant growth than that from the infertile soil. This was not regarded as being entirely due to a higher osmotic concentration, however, for when reduced to the same initial osmotic concentration as that of the other solution there was still a better growth. The explanation is thought to lie more in the fact that the solution was richer in certain kinds of solutes being an extract from more fertile soil and thus confirming the observations of Schreiner and Skinner that the crop-producing power of various soils is trans mitted to their aqueous extracts.

At an initial osmotic concentration of 1.94 atmospheres there was better growth where the ratio approached the optimum, while the growth declined at other ratios. The total osmotic concentration suffered a greater decrease as shown by conductivity and cryoscopic measurements, at the better or around the optimum salt ratio than at other ratios. The optimum ratio of the thre salts in the solutions in the set representing the infertile soil where the initia osmotic concentration was 1.94 atmospheres was 7:1:2, seven-tenths of the total concentration being derived from KH,PO,, one-tenth from Ca(NO)| and two-tenths from MgSO.. The optimum ratio obtained when distilled wate was used instead of soil solution was 5:2:3, indicating that the soil probably lacked potassium and phosphoric acid. Treating the soil with the dry sal (KH,PO.) at the rate of 150 and 300 lbs. per acre, the increase of dry weigh of the entire wheat plant for a period of at least three weeks in the first cas was 24 per cent and in the second 48 per cent.

The optimum ratio of the three salts in the solutions in the set representin the fertile soil, where the initial osmotic concentration was 3.56 atmospheres was 2:7:1 as compared with a ratio of 5:2:3 obtained in the distilled wate series, indicating that the soil solution was improved by the addition of th calcium salt. It is pointed out that some of the excellent growth may probabl be due to the presence of the nitrate radical. How much may be attributed t either was not determined, but it was apparent that the soil needed lim Treating this soil with the dry salt of Ca(NO3)2 at the rates of 200 and 400 lb per acre increased the dry weight of the entire plant for a period including th first three weeks by 26 and 38 per cent, respectively.

High transpiration was found to be correlated with high yields of bot tops and roots, and low transpiration with low yields of both tops and root While the water requirement for roots and tops combined appeared to be less p unit of dry matter in the culture, it did not follow that when grown with th best salt ratio the plant, as a whole, required less water for growth. There wa in fact, a greater actual water requirement, since in such cultures the plan were larger and more thrifty.

Formation of layers in suspensions of soils and clays. Their explanatio and their application in the investigation of soils for agricultural purpose P. EHRENBERG, E. HAHN, and O. NOLTE (Kolloid Ztschr., 21 (1917), pp. 1–19 abs. in Jour. Chem. Soc. [London], 112 (1917), No. 660, 11, p. 453; Chem. Abs 12 (1918), No. 6, p. 598)." The literature relating to the formation of layer in suspensions is reviewed, and an account is given of new experiments whic have been made with suspensions of ultramarine. Measurements of the cor centration of the suspended substance and of the number of the particles i the more or less sharply differentiated layers indicate that the stratification due to the circumstance that the size of the particles varies in such a way tha the particles fall into discontinuous groups. In each of these groups the par ticles approximate in size to the mean value which is characteristic of the

group; this is, moreover, appreciably different from the mean size of the particles belonging to the neighboring groups."

Changes in the nitrogen content of stored soils, W. A. ALDRECHT (Jour. Amer. Soc. Agron., 10 (1918), No. 2, pp. 83-88; abs. in Chem. Abs., 12 (1918), No. 7, p. 735).-Samples of silt loam and clay loam soil, with varying nitrogen and water contents, were stored in a laboratory where ammonia was used, in a room near the laboratory, in a basement room, and in a greenhouse, and the total nitrogen, ammonia, and nitric nitrogen were determined at the beginning of the experiment and at different intervals of time thereafter.

It was found that there was little or no change in the nitric nitrogen, but that there was a slight increase in total nitrogen, especially in the samples stored in and near the laboratory. This was due apparently to adsorption of ammonia, there being little indication that bacteria had any measurable effect on the nitrogen content.

[Report of soil investigations in Florida], S. E. COLLISON (Florida Sta. Rpt. 1917, pp. 97-102).-Samples of soils collected in 1914 and 1915 from fertilized plats in a citrus grove were analyzed for total and acid-soluble phosphorus, and the results are reported in tabular form. The samples were collected near the trees where the fertilizers were applied and from the middle of the rows where no fertilizer had been used. In general a considerable increase in the phosphoric acid content was observed, amounting to from 43 to 52 per cent for plats receiving four times the standard application of phosphoric acid and over 20 per cent for those plats receiving the standard amount. Determinations of the acid-soluble phosphoric acid were deemed rather inconclusive. The results of analyses of the drainage water from eight soil tanks are also noted.

Indiana soils containing an excess of soluble salts, S. D. CONNER (Proc. Ind. Acad. Sci., 1916, pp. 403, 404).—Analyses of samples of mixed soil in which onions failed to grow showed from 0.44 to 0.5 per cent nitrates and from 1.12 to 1.2 per cent soluble salts, as compared with from 0.1 to 0.17 per cent nitrates and from 0.45 to 0.57 per cent soluble salts on portions of the field where the onions grew well. Analysis of water extracts of such salts indicated that the soluble salt was largely calcium nitrate, although this was not believed to be the sole cause of crop injury. Excess soluble salts in clay or loam soils are said to have been found only where refuse matter had been dumped or where old stables had stood. Soil samples taken at various depths on the site of an old stable where crops were reported to have failed for five years showed 0.1 per cent nitrates, 0.85 per cent water-soluble potash, and 2.54 per cent total soluble matter in the surface 6 in., while at a depth of from 24 to 30 in. there was 0.012 per cent nitrates, 0.44 per cent water-soluble potash, and 1.33 per cent total soluble salts.

Rational treatment for Kentucky soils, G. ROBERTS (Bien. Rpt. Bur. Agr., Labor, and Statis. [Ky.], 22 (1916–17), pp. 401–408, pls. 2, map 1).—The author briefly reviews soil-fertility investigations conducted on experiment farms located at Lexington, London, Berea, Greenville, Russellville, Lone Oak, and Mayfield, respectively, representing certain of the soil areas of the State as previously described (E. S. R., 34, p. 121) and dealing especially with the use of limestone and phosphates. On all fields except that at Lexington, limestone and acid phosphate showed a net gain per rotation (corn, soy beans or cowpeas, wheat, and clover) of $26.78 per acre, as compared with an increase of only $4.81 for acid phosphate alone. "Without question, the most important requisite for increasing fertility of the soils outside of the blue-grass region is the use of limestone and phosphates. However, they should be regarded only as 87001-No. 5-18 -3