METEOROLOGY WATER. 19 



Further notes on the relationship between the weight of the sugar beet 

 and the composition of its juice, J. A. Habbis and R. A. Goetneb {Biochem. 

 Bill., 2 (1913), Xo. 8, pp. 52Jf-529, pi. 1).—A critical analysis of Xovotny's 

 results and those of Andrlik et al. (E. S. R., 27, p. 642; 30, p. 536). 



The authors conclude that the notes presented by Andrllk, Bartos. and 

 Urban "form a very slender basis for the conclusion (widely circulated by 

 uncritical reviewers) that in beets of the same strain there is no negative cor- 

 relation between weight and sugar content. Nevertheless one must recognize 

 the possibility of the correctness of the conclusion. Should it prove to be 

 valid, the suggestion follows that the negative correlation demonstrated in 

 commercial cultures has a genetic origin, i. e., that strains characterized by 

 large root size are also characterized by low sugar content, and that when 

 these strains are intermingled and intercrossed in field cultures there results 

 a negative correlation between the weight of the individual beet and the sugar 

 content of its juice. Such a result would be of the greatest interest to breeders." 



Beport of the department of chemistry, C. A. Jacobson and M. Adams 

 {Nevada Sta. Rpt. 1913, pp. J/ISO). — This details the work in progress and 

 completed (E. S. R., 25, p. 810; 26, p. 802 ; 27, p. 713 ; 28, pp. 608, 710; 29, p. 111). 



In some experiments on wood distillation the products resulting from 4 woods 

 were studied. "From a sample of 'fat' yellow pine a clear water-white sam- 

 ple of light oil, boiling at between 158 and 178°, and possessing many of the 

 properties of the spirits of turpentine, has been obtained. This oil is now 

 being examined to determine its chemical identity. Calculated from the re- 

 sults so far obtained, one cord of * fat ' yellow pine should yield 20 gal. of this 

 turpentine-like oil. Besides tliis light oil, there have been obtained from the 

 same Avood, acetic acid, methyl alcohol, creosote, wood tar, and charcoal of 

 commercial value. A sample of green yellow pine was also distilled and a 

 sample of the above-mentioned light oil was obtained, but the yield was 

 small, amounting to only about 5 gal. per cord. Samples of sagebrush and 

 Pinus monophyUa have also been distilled, but the assay of the distillate has 

 not yet been completed." 



METEOROLOGY— WATER. 



Weather science, R. G. K. Lempfebt {London, Edinburgh, and New York, 

 [1912], pp. 94, figs. 16). — This brief treatise describes and discusses the obser- 

 vations of an individual station and the processes underlying weather changes, 

 and shows how the observations at different places are combined in the study 

 of the weather and in forecasting. 



Weather forecasting, R. M. Deeley {Nature [London], 93 {1914), No. 2316, 

 pp. 58, 59). — A plea is made for better daily weather charts as a means of 

 utilizing the great mass of data now " practically buried so far as the indi- 

 vidual meteorologist is concerned." 



The agricultural meteorological service in Germany, R. Bobnstein 

 {Internat. Inst. Agr. [Rome], Mo. Bui. Agr. Intel, and Plant Diseases, 4 {1913), 

 No. 11, pp. 1661-1612). — A brief description of this service is given. It is 

 stated that the whole country is divided into meteorological sers-ice districts, 

 each with its station and in some cases with substations. The most important 

 duty of the service is the timely and prompt distribution of daily weather 

 charts. 



" In order to keep the whole meteorological service in close touch with prac- 

 tical agriculture, in most districts reliable collaborators {Yertrauensmanner) 

 have been appointed. These are practical farmers, teachers of agriculture, 

 and the like, at least one in each district, who constantly devote their atten- 



