BUREAU OF CHEMISTHY. 221 



Reports on the chemical analyses of bacteriological bouillons and 

 on a comparison of bacterial counts on whole and skimmed milk, 

 separated and centrifuged cream, have been prepared. 



With a view to improving the methods of vinegar production in 

 the home from a wide variety of fruits, the acetic group of organisms 

 has been studied, and, for the purpose of improving the production 

 of soured foods, a study of the group of lactic organisms has also 

 been conducted. A mass of data on the composition of silage has 

 been gathered for the Office of Farm Management. 



Studies upon the fermentation of the soy bean and the production 

 of so,y sauce have been in progress, and investigations begun upon 

 sauerkraut production three years ago have been extended to include 

 the pickling of numerous varieties of vegetables and fruits and the 

 preservation of these vegetables by various forms of brining. Not 

 only cabbage but potatoes, spinach, beets, string beans, sweet corn, 

 and even peaches have been handled by this process in a satisfactory 

 manner. In cooperation with the States Relations Service, Farmers' 

 Bulletin 881, " Preservation of Vegetables by Fermentation and Salt- 

 ing," has been issued. 



DRUGS AND PHARMACOLOGY. 



The results of a study of commercial viburnum barks and prepa- 

 rations, and of Karaya gum as a substitute for tragacanth are ready 

 to be submitted for publication. Observations on the leaves of Eupa- 

 toriuTn glutinosum^ offered for entry as " Peruvian matico," have 

 been made public. Examination of the root of Macrotomia ceph- 

 aJotes\ offered as alkanet, has shown it to yield a coloring matter 

 similar to that of alkanet, but present in larger amount. A paper on 

 this subject is in press. 



A study of the manufacture of arsphenamine and of the patent 

 literature on the subject has been completed. 



Results of investigations on the pharmacology of oil of chenopo- 

 dium, on the action of an isomer of caffeine, on the distribution and 

 elimination of zinc and tin in the body, on the action of tartrates, 

 citrates, and oxalates, on the influence of diet on the toxicity of 

 sodium tartrate, on the production of glycosuria by zinc salts, on the 

 action of succinate and its hydroxy derivatives have been published, 



OILS AND FATS. 



In cooperation with the Bureau of Plant Industry, the oil yields 

 of a large number of samples of peanuts of different varieties, grown 

 in various localities, have been examined, and a report on the results 

 prepared. A preliminary analysis of the results seems to indicate 

 that there is very little relation between the volume, weight, and 

 oil content of the nuts. Analyses of okra-seed oil, papaya-seed oil, 

 cantaloup-seed oil, lemon-seed oil, areca fat, tea wax, sugar-cane 

 wax. squash-seed oil, cob-nut oil. licania-seed oil, and the oil of 

 Aleurites triloba have been completed. The results of an investiga- 

 tion on the oil of salmon as a method for the determination of the 

 species in the canned product are in press. 



