AGRICULTURAL CHEMISTRY. 211 



The examination of flour, E. Schaffnit {Ztschr. Untcrsuch. Nahr. u. 

 Oenussmtl, 11 {1909), No. 2, pp. 86-88, fig. 1).—A separating funnel is de- 

 scribed wbieh tlie author considers of use in the microscopical and colorimetric 

 examhiation of flour. 



On the determination of reducing sugars, F. Zerban and W. P. Naquin 

 (Intcntdt. ^tiinir Jour., 10 (IDOS), Xo. 115, pp. 328-332).— A critical study of 

 methods. 



According to the authors, " in tlie determination of reducing sugars in low- 

 grade sugar products the quantity of metallic copper present in the precipitate 

 should always be determined. If that be done, clariticatiou with just a 

 sufficient amount of neutral lead acetate may not be necessary in all cases, 

 but it is advisable to use it, because it will remove at least a part of the 

 reducing nonsugars without affecting the sugars. . . . 



" It appears that iu the analysis of low-grade products the volumetric method 

 is preferable to the gravimetric, because the errors produced by tlie precipita- 

 tion of organic and mineral matters are avoided, and fairly accurate results 

 may be obtained in much less time." 



The use of temperature corrections in the polarizations of raw cane sug'ar, 

 C. A. Browne {La. Planter, .',2 {1009), No. 12, pp. 185, 186). — A comparison 

 and discussion of methods in use at the U. S. Treasury Department in the 

 assessment of duty upon raw cane sugar. 



The detection of caramel in vanilla extract, A. G. Woodman and E. H. 

 Newhall {Techno}. Quart., 21 {1908), No. 3, pp. 2.S0-2.S7 ) .— " The procedure 

 found to give the best results in this investigation and recommended for use is 

 as follows : 15 cc. of the extract are mixed with 2 cc. of zinc chlorid (5 per cent 

 solution), and 2 cc. of caustic potash (2 per cent solution) are added The 

 precipitate is filtered, washed with hot water, and dissolved in 15 cc. of acetic 

 acid (10 per cent solution). This is concentrated to about half its volume, the 

 excess acid neutralized, and the solution divided between two test tubes. To 

 one of these three volumes of paraldehyde are added and just sufficient alcohol 

 to make the mixture homogeneous. To the other tube an equal volume of a 

 mixture of 2 parts phenyl-hydrazin hydrochlorid, 3 parts sodium acetate, and 20 

 parts water is added. Both tubes will show a brown, flocculent precipitate after 

 standing over night if caramel be present." 



The Schmitt process for determining the total extract material in wine, 

 F. ScuRTi and (J. De Plato {Stas. Spcr. Ag7\ Ital., U {1908), No. 9-11, pp. 

 681-688). — Analyses of a number of samples of wine are reported. 



The determination of total sulphur in urine, O. Folin (Jour. Amer. Chem. 

 Soc.. 31 (1909), No. 2, pp. 28//. 285). — In this note the author discusses criti- 

 cisms of his method of determining total sulphur in urine CE. S. R., 20, 

 p. 1106). 



On the detection and quantitative determination of rice hulls in feeding' 

 stufEs, F. SciiRoDEK {Arb. K. Gsndhtsamt., 28 {1908), No. 1, pp. 213-22/,, figs. 6, 

 dgm. 1). — Though the presence of rice hulls can be easily detected by the 

 microscope, the extent to which feeds may be adulterated with them can only 

 be determined by chemical analysis. Rice hulls contain more silicic acid 

 than other feeding stuffs, and a method of determining the amount of this acid 

 is described by the author :is affording a convenient means for detecting the 

 extent of adulteration. 



Milk testing without apparatus, (4. Michaud {8ci. Amer., 100 {1909), No. 

 n, p. 320, fig. I). — This article describes a method for testing milk suspected 

 of having been skimmed or adulterated with water. It is claimed that if the 

 milk has been skimmed or watered this can be readily detected by its opacity 



