525 



of water, loss by ignition, nitrogoii, Iniiiui.s, and the constituents of the 

 extract prepared by {a) digesting one weight part of soil and two volume 

 j)art.s of 25 per cent HCl (taking account of tiie CaCO;; in the soil) at 

 ordinary temperature for 48 liours with frequent stirring, or (h) digest- 

 ing one weight part of soil and two volume parts of 10 per cent HCl 

 (taking account of the (JaCOa in tlie soil) on a water bath for 3 hours, 

 with frequent stirring. All results are to be calculated for water-free 

 soil. In estimating the loss by igniting, the soil is dried at IIC^ C, 

 ignited, moistened with (NH4)2CO:j, and gently ignited again. This 

 method is not allowable with moor soil or soil very rich in Jiumus. The 

 humus is determined according to the method of Dr. Loges [Landw. 

 WrsHchs-^tatioitcn., 2S, p. 220), by evaporating the soil with phosphoric 

 acid to remove the carbonates, and then igniting with copper oxide.* 



The pro|)er rates for fees for analyses made by the stations were also 

 discussed, and the commission on this subject was directed to inquire 

 into the actual cost of making the analyses, as a basis for establishing 

 a minimum tariff. 



In view of the need, which Is coming to be strongly felt by the sta- 

 tions, of assistants better educated in applied chemistry, a commission 

 was appointed to consider this nuitter and to confer with the proper 

 authorities regarding it. 



Studies in artificial digestion of albuminoids, A. Stutzer [Landw. Ver- 

 sHclh'i-^Stationcn, 3S, 2)p. 257-271)). 



The action of certain organic acids in the digestion of albuminoids.— It 

 is a familiar fact that lactic, butyric, acetic, malic, tartaric, and citric 

 acids occur in the stomach, being either formed there during the diges- 

 tive processor introduced with the food consumed. Without doubt 

 these organic acids play an important part in digestion, aiul the object 

 of the author was to find out whether they are capable of taking the 

 place of hydrochloric acid in the digestion of albuminoids, and if so, 

 to what extent. As a matter of theoretical interest the action of formic 

 and jMopionic acids was also studied. The amount of albuminoid nitro- 

 gen dissolved by 50 c. c. of pepsin solution, only slightly acid, from 

 cotton-seed meal containing 100 mg. of nitrogen in the form of digesti- 

 ble albuminoids, was taken as the basis for the comparison. On this 

 basis studies were made of the iu(;reased amount of nitrogen dissolved 

 by the same quantity of pepsin solution when there was added to it 

 (a) HCl sufQcient to give the total solution a normal content of 0.05, 

 0.1, or 0.2 i)er cent HCl; and (/;) organic acids equivalent (by titration 

 with baryta water, using i)henol[)htiialein) to the HCl added. The 50 

 c. c. of [)epsin solution contained 0.05 grams, or 0.01 per cent of HCl 

 (it being impossible to prepare the solution without this acid), and 25.085 

 grams of nitrogen. The acids used were found to be free from nitrogen. 



*See Freseuius Qiiautitive Analysis, 6tli (Germau) Edition, p. 675. 

 23155— Xo. 9 5 



