ABSTRACTS 



Authors of scientific papers are requested to see that abstracts, preferably 

 prepared and signed by themselves, are forwarded promptly to the editors. Each 

 of the scientific bureaus in Washington has a representative authorized to for- 

 ward such material to this journal and abstracts of official publications should 

 be transmitted through the representative of the bureau in which they originate. 

 The abstracts should conform in length and general style to those appearing in 

 this issue. 



METEOROLOGY.— /^ros« protection. W. J. Humphreys. Monthly 

 Weather Review, 42: 562-569. 1914. 



This paper deals entirely with the scientific or theoretical side of 

 orchard heating and other methods of frost protection. It is explained 

 that when frost is most likely to occur, that is, during still clear nights, 

 temperature inversions (increase of temperature with increase of ele- 

 vation) commonly obtain almost everywhere except on hills and moun- 

 tains at some elevation above the intervening valleys. This tempera- 

 ture inversion keeps any air that may be artificially warmed near the 

 surface where it may be effective in preventing frost. But for this 

 inversion that acts like a ceiling in restricting vertical convection, the 

 warmed air would rise quite above the tree tops and thus do but little 

 good. 



Computations, based on the rate of loss of heat by radiation during 

 clear nights, show that the amount of petroleum necessary to protect 

 a large orchard from frost is, roughly, one liter per tree per hour. Air 

 drainage (so important to consider in locating an orchard), ground 

 covering, screens, sprays, smudges, dry heating and irrigation are all 

 considered. W. J. H. 



CHEMISTRY.— T/?e reaction of coivs' milk modified for infant feeding. 

 William Mansfield Clark. Journal of Medical Research, 31: 

 431. 1915. ' 



By the use of the hydrogen electrode the hydrogen ion concentra- 

 tions of human and cows' milk have been compared with those of 

 various formulae of cows' milk modified for infant feeding. The addi- 

 tion of alkalies to modified milk for the purpose of neutralizing the 

 so-called "high acidity of cows' milk" is shown to be a practice not only 



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