324 I'WENTY-FIRST kEPORT. 



Damp soil is greedy for formaldehyde and readily appropriates it from 

 grains, preventing damage. Vei-y dry soil, on the contrary, does not talce up 

 formaldehyde. 



The toxicity of pure formaldehyde and of formaldehyde diluted with 

 frf)m one to four parts of water is less than that diluted ten times. Toxicity 

 increases with dilution up to approximately one part in 100 of water. From 

 this dilution, toxicity decreases with dilution to 1-320 and 1-400, concentra- 

 tions which are practically free from injurious effects if the grain is rightly 

 handled. 



The work done with this chemical has shown that our previous knowledge 

 of its effects upon grain has heen vague and founded on surmise. The full 

 account of these experiments is being prepared for puhlication. The pre- 

 liminary account indicates how knowledge of the properties of formaldehyde 

 must influence our methods of ising it. 



