614 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD, 



However, these materials are used but little in the Northern States (excepting 

 castor pomace in tobacco fertilizers), and it is believed that this simple test 

 will in the great majority of mixed fertilizers indicate whether or not peat 

 has been usetl ; it will likewise serve for the detection of peat in dried blood." 



Qualitative and quantitative determination of nitric acid in water and 

 sewage, H. Klut (Apoth. Ztg., 22 {1901), No. 83, pp. 898, 899; c&s. in Chem. 

 ZenthL, 1907, II, Ao. 21, p. 1758). — This is an abstract of a paper presented at 

 the International Congress of Hygiene and Demography at Berlin in 1907. 



For the qualitative detection of nitric acid in water and sewage the author 

 states that brucin gives a sharper reaction than dipheuylamin. For the exam- 

 ination of factory waste it is not possible to lay down hard and fast rules. 



For the quantitative determination of nitric acid in water and sewage the 

 Schulze-Tiemann method is considered best, with the Ulsch method as a second 

 choice. For approximate determination of nitric acid the colorimetric method 

 of Noll may be employed. The Ulsch volumetric method may be used with good 

 results in case of sewage which does not contain organic nitrogen compounds. 



Analysis of soils on the basis of determination of solubility as a basis for 

 judg-ing soils, A. Rindell {Ahs. in Chem. ZenthL, 1907, II, No. 17, p. l-'i'/S). — 

 The author concludes on theoretical grounds that determination of solubility 

 is the proper means of ascertaining the assimilable plant food in soils, and he 

 discusses the selection and use of solvents for this puriiose. 



Determination of caustic lime by the use of a sugar solution, J. Hendrick 

 (Analysf, 32 (1907), Xo. 378, pp. 320-325; abs. in Jour. Hoc. Chem. Indus., 20 

 (1907), No. 19, p. 1067). — In the method proposed 5 gm. of powdered burnt lime 

 is mixed with 10 cc. of alcohol and the volume made to .500 ce. with a 10-per 

 cent solution of sugar. The flask containing this solution is Immediately placed 

 in a shaking machine making 50 to GO revolutions per minute and shaken for 

 at least 4 hours. A portion of the solution is then filtered or decanted and 

 titi'ated with standard hydrochloric acid, using methyl orange as an indicator. 

 The method was found to give as a rule results about 1 per cent lower than 

 those obtained by direct titration, and always lower than those calculated from 

 a complete analysis. 



The determination of carbon monoxid in atmospheric air, J. L. R. Morgan 

 and J. E. McWhorter (Jour. Amcr. Chem. Soc., 29 (1907), No. 11, pp. 1589- 

 1592; ahs. in Jour. Soc. Chem. Indus., 26 (1907), No. 23, p. 1251).— Various im- 

 provements in the installation of the apparatus used for the determination of 

 carbon monoxid by passing it over heated iodiu pentoxid are described, and 

 a modified method is presented, " in which, after the iodin formed by the reac- 

 tion is removed by a potassium iodid solution, the carbon dioxid is absorbed in 

 barium hydroxid solution and determined by titration with oxalic acid. A check 

 on the same sample can then be ol)tained, if desired, by titrating the iodin ab- 

 sorbed in the potassium iodid solution with N/1000 sodium thiosulphate." 



International methods for the analysis of fertilizers, feeding stuffs, and 

 agricultural products (Bui. Mens. Off. Rensci;/. Agr. [Paris]. 6 (1907). No. .'/, 

 pp. Ji57-J,7-'i; Ann. Chim. Anahjt., 12 (1907), Nos. 9, pp. 359-365; 10, pp. /,00- 

 405; 11, pp. Jf35-JiJi2) . — These are accounts of the international conference of 

 representatives of France, Belgium, The Netherlands, and Luxemburg, held at 

 Paris, July 10 and 11, 1906, and give in detail the methods of analysis agreed 

 upon at the conference. 



Official methods for the analysis of sugars, sirups, and confectionery 

 (Betterare, 17 (1907), No. J,36, pp. .582-38'/ ) .—French otticial methods for the 

 analysis of sugar and sugar products are quoted from Journal Offlciel for 

 April 2G, 1907. 



