AGRICULTURAL CHEMISTRY AGROTECHNY. 813 



sample, 38.3. Six other samples were also examined by tlie double polarization 

 method and the results compared with those found by direct polarization after 

 the destruction of the reducing sugars by the Pellet-Lemeland method, the 

 following being the figures obtained : By the double polarization method, using 

 for the direct reading the solution clarified with hypochlorite and defecated 

 with normal lead acetate: (1) 45.3; (2) 39.4; (3) 39.7; (4) 35.9; (5) 40.2; 

 and (6) 37.5; and by direct polarizations, after destruction of the reducing 

 sugars: (1) 46.3; (2) 39.4; (3) 37.5; (4) 35.5; (5) 39.0; and (6) 38,4." 



Gravimetric determination of saccharose by oxidation with chrom.ic acid, 

 A. Wechsler {Osterr. Ungar. Ztschr. Zuckerindus. u. Landw., J/0 {1912), No. 5, 

 pp. 683-703, figs. 1). — Saccharose when present alone is oxidized in a special 

 form of apparatus, which the author calls an " oxydimeter," with a mixture 

 consisting of 500 cc. of commercial sulphuric acid, 300 cc. of water, and 100 gni. 

 of chromic acid. Fifty cc. of this mixture is added to an amount of saccharin 

 substance which will contain on an average from 0.15 to 0.25 gm. of carbon to 

 be oxidized. Inorganic substances when present have no influence upon the 

 oxidizing process. The results obtained by the method for refined sugar and 

 beet extracts agreed well with the polarimetric findings. Basic lead nitrate 

 was used as the precipitating and clearing agent for the beet pulp. A new 

 method for determining the ratio of saccharose to nonsugar during the process 

 of manufacture, on the basis of the oxidizing and polarimetric test, is also 

 included. 



■ The inversion of saccharose by bees' honey, O. Achebt {Ztschr. Untersuch. 

 Nahr. u. GenussmtL, 23 {1012), No. //. pp. 136-139). — A honey-saccharose mix- 

 ture in which the honey was never heated to over 55° C. showed an inversion 

 of the saccharose to the extent of reducing it from 22.05 to 2.21 per cent in a 

 period of 4 months. Heating to 100° destroyed the inverting enzym, as found 

 by Moreau (E. S. R., 26, p, 312). Acids like formic play no part in the inver- 

 sion process, as neutralized samples were found to be inverted much more 

 quickly and to a greater extent than those containing free acid. 



Incrusting coloring matter of sugar cane, L. C. Langguth-Steuerwald 

 {Arch. Suikerindiis. Nederland. Indie, 19 {1911), No. 1ft, pp. 15J/3-1557 ; Meded. 

 Proefstat. Java-Suikerindus., 1911, pp. 365-379, pi. 1; abs. in Deut. Zuckerindus., 

 37 {1912), No. 1, pp. 5, 6; Chem. Ztg., 3.{ {1912), No. 12, Repert., p. 55).— In 

 the cane, and apparently also in the cane juice, a new coloring substance, which 

 is termed saccharetin, was noted. The purified substance corresponded to the 

 formula (C5H702)n, has the characteristics of a phlobaphene, is light yellow 

 in color, optically inactive, slightly acid, and is soluble only in alcohol, glacial 

 acetic acid, and akalis. 



The Andrlik method of polarization as applied to cane products, H. Pellet 

 {Internat. Sugar Jour., 11/ {1912), No. 157. pp. 28-30).— U a sufficient amount 

 of lead salts is added to pure sugar solutions about to be tested according to 

 the Andrlik procedure, constant polarizations can be maintained for some 

 time. Instead of the dextrorotatory power being decreased, as is the case with 

 the usual procedure, it is slightly increased, this being due to the volume of lead 

 precipitated. 



The author points out that he has collected the results of a large number of 

 experiments with different products of cane and beet-sugar manufacture, and 

 that these show that when the above mentioned factors are considered, good 

 results can be obtained with the method. In some tests between the Andrlik 

 hydrochloric acid and urea method (E. S. R., 26, p. 207) and the Pellet sul- 

 phurous acid method for beet molasses the results obtained were practically 

 the same. 



